Edisi 23 Desember 2013 | International Bali Post

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Entertainment Tom Cruise, tabloids, settle defamation lawsuit Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES — The publisher of two tabloid magazines said it never intended to imply that Tom Cruise had cut all ties to his daughter after his divorce and announced Friday that it had reached a settlement with the actor over two stories it published. Bauer Publishing and Cruise’s lawyer wrote in a joint statement that the terms of the settlement were confidential.

“Bauer Publishing, as well as In Touch and Life

& Style magazines, never intended to communicate that Tom Cruise had cut off all ties and abandoned his daughter, Suri, and regret if anyone drew that inference from anything they published,” the statement read.

Cruise sued the company over stories published in its Life & Style and In Touch magazines in 2012 that claimed the actor hadn’t been in contact with his daughter for several weeks after his divorce from actress Katie Holmes. The actor sued Bauer in October 2012 seeking tens of millions of dollars in damages.

Beyonce talks surprise album, success at NYC event Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK — Beyonce had her doubts minutes before her new album’s surprise release, despite all the hard work she put in on the songs and videos.

“I was terrified. I was so scared. I already envisioned like the worst things that could happen,” Beyonce said Saturday at a screening for her new music videos. “I was really nervous because this was a huge risk.”

The singer’s fifth album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts this week after it was released without the public knowing. “Beyonce” sold 617,000 units in the U.S. in a week; it has sold more than 1 million albums worldwide. The album includes 14 songs and 17 videos, which fans were able to see during the screening at the School of Visual Arts in New York. Beyonce answered fans’

questions via Instagram, including one about her opening up personally on the new album.

“I’m very private and I’m very respectful, and I think it just took me no longer being someone’s child — once I became a mother, I felt like I could tear those fourth walls and I just felt like it was time,” she said. “I completely feel liberated.”

Photo by Robin Harper/Invision for Parkwood Entertainment/AP

Beyonce performs onstage on her Mrs. Carter World Tour, on Friday, Dec. 20, 2013, at the TD Garden in Boston, Mass.

The album features collaborations with her husband Jay Z, Justin Timberlake, Drake and her daughter, Blue Ivy. “Beyonce” is the follow-up to 2011’s “4,” the first album the singer released on her production company, Parkwood Entertainment, after parting ways professionally with her father-manager, Mathew Knowles. “I felt like I wanted follow in the footsteps of Madonna and be a powerhouse and have my own empire,” she said to cheers from the crowd. “And (to) show other women when you get to this point in your career, you don’t have to go sign with someone else and share your money and your success, you can do it yourself.”

The album’s unconventional release became one of the year’s top pop culture and social media moments. Beyonce, 32, said she became bored in the music industry after her last release, and the new album is a reflection of experimentation and growth.

“Honestly I was at a point where I felt like, you know, everything feels the same ... that’s how I felt and if I could not challenge that, then maybe it’s time for me to do something else or develop more artists, which is something I want to do,” she said. “I just hope that I continue to move forward and challenge myself, and I think now that I’ve become a mother, I just want my legacy to inspire people.” She added that the goal of the new album was not to produce No. 1 hits, but to showcase her evolution and create her own lane.

“I took all of my insecurities, all of my doubts, all of my fears and everything I’ve learned over the 17 years and I applied it into this project,” she said. “But more than the music — I’m proud of myself as a woman ... the biggest message is owning your imperfections and all the things that make you interesting, because I refuse to allow someone to put me in anyone’s box.”

WEATHER FORECAST 23 - 32 Dps

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Monday, December 23, 2013 Castro tells US to drop the demands on political front

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Storms kill 2 in southern US, thousands lose power

Party-poopers Bayern triumph in Club World Cup

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Thousands policemen to ensure peaceful christmas in Bali Bali Post

X-ray scanner at the entrance to the Island of the Gods to anticipate DENPASAR - Bali Police Chief Inspector General Albertus the prohibited items brought by terJulius Benny Mokalu has said 12,260 police personnel would be rorists. “We continue to install the deployed to ensure Christmas and New Years remains peaceful X-ray scanner. Our detector equipment will also be installed at the on the resort island. entrance,” he said while adding that “We will involve all of our to be entry points for terrorists. utilization of both equippersonnel to ensure security for “Together with TNI personnel, ment assisted by Bali Christmas and New Year celebra- we have to be more proactive government would tions across Bali Island,” Albertus and innovative, said Alberbe alerted at Gilisaid, after attending the Candle tus, the former Bengkulu manuk Harbor in Light Operation 2013 show of force regional police chief.

Jembrana County on Saturday.

Further,Benny said and the Padangbai He noted that the police per- the terrorist cells reHarbor in Karansonnel would cooperate with the mained to exist and gasem County.

National Defense Forces (TNI) to Bali became the Utilization of maintain security at a number of target. On that acthe X-ray, said sensitive locations, including less count, it would Benny, was to traveled roads, which are believed be alerted an anticipate

IBP/Yudi Karnaedi

Monday, December 23, 2013

the entry of hazardous goods carried by terrorists. “We anticipate the security at the entrance. We may not be complacent both in the air and sea,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Commander of the IX/Udayana Regional Command said that all military personnel would participate in maintaining the security. Besides, it was also expected the participation of all components of society, particularly the NGOs and pecalang or customary security officer. “All military personnel are involved ranging from the noncommissioned officer (Babinsa) including myself. We

have to secure every border in Bali, NTB and NTT and everything has to be alert,” he affirmed.

Meanwhile, National Police Chief Gen Sutarman, speaking in Jakarta on Friday, reminded all police personnel across the country to keep vigilant to prevent any acts of terrorism during Christmas and the New Years celebrations.

“Security must be stepped up against possible acts of terrorism at houses of worship and public areas during Christmas and New Year,” warned Sutarman in Jakarta on Friday.

Continued on page 6

Around 12,260 police personnel would be deployed to ensure Christmas and New Years remains peaceful on the resort island.

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International

Monday, December 23, 2013

Bali News

Activities

International

Monday, December 23, 2013

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IBP/File Photo

Allegedly attacked by two youths

A student of Warmadewa University killed Bali Post

DENPASAR - Before totally resolving the assassination case of Bali Police officer, Suarsa, the officers of the South Denpasar Police received another similar report. At this time, the beating action occurred around Jalan Tukad Sanghyang, Panjer, South Denpasar, causing the tragic death to a student of Warmadewa University Denpasar named Putu Enggi Pradesa, 18, Saturday morning (Dec 21). The victim who lived on Jalan Tukad Melangit, Panjer, was alleged to have been killed as stabbed with sharp weapon by two youths.

The case was handled by the investigator team of the South Denpasar Police. It was not known for sure who killed the victim.

Reportedly, the police had got the characteristics and identity of the culprits. So far, police were still in pursuit of the culprits.

In addition, police had also examined a number of witnesses.

However, from the testimony of witnesses, there were no clues who were actually the perpetrators committing the murder. “The culprits have not been caught.

Allegedly, the victim was beaten and then stabbed with a sharp weapon,” said a source in the po-

lice station, Saturday (Dec 21).

The source said that such incident lasted approximately at 00:30 in the morning. The victim was previously going with three companions namely Made Nofriandi, Made Supranca and Nano to attend a bazaar event at Pedungan hamlet, Denpasar. After the bazaar, they were going home.

At that time, the victim from Punggul village, Abiansemal, Badung, was riding motorcycle with Nofriandi. Meanwhile, his companion Supranca was with Nano. “Initially, Nofriandi took the victim to his home at Panjer,” he said.

When arriving at the home of Nofriandi, the victim was hitchhiked

by Supranca. So, they continued the journey to go home in a group of three. Not long after, the victim hitchhiked by Supranca separated from Nano. Furthermore, the victim and Supranca passed through Jalan Tukad Sanghyang, Panjer, South Denpasar. Right in front of the Yoyo Racing, the motorcycle of the victim was stopped by two people using a motorcycle. It was unknown what the problem was, both the young man suddenly apologized and asked for peace.

However, the victim got involved in disputes with the two culprits. The dispute ended with physical fights. The culprits hit the

victim and Supranca. After that, Supranca managed to escape to Antap hamlet, about 200 meters from the scene. There, Supranca met his friends who were hanging out. A few minutes later, Supranca was looking for the victim known to be a first-semester student of the Law Department in the University Warmadewa.

When searched at the scene, the victim and the two culprits were not found there. “When searched around the scene, the victim was eventually found to be covered in blood on Jalan Tukad Pakerisan Gang XVI A, Panjer, South Denpasar,” he said.

Seeing his friend was helpless, Supranca then rushed the victim to Sanglah Hospital. Unfortunately, upon arriving at Sanglah Hospital, the victim was declared to have died.

The case was reported to South Denpasar Police station and conducted a crime scene examination. Moreover, it was also resumed with the exami-

nation of witnesses. The witnesses examined consisted of those around the scene, friends of the victim as well as his partners attending the bazaar. “Police also delved into the college. As a result, it was found the victim had no enemies. Even, the victim was jaunty and had many friends,” he described.

Related to the murder case, Chief of Criminal Detective Section of South Denpasar Police, I Gusti Ngurah Yudistira, when asked for his confirmation last Saturday justified the case. So far, his party had made the crime scene and witnesses examination. However, so far his party could not identify the culprits. “Some witnesses have been examined, either his friends taken to the bazaar, friends in the bazaar or his college friends. Witnesses claimed that the victim never had an enemy. However, we are still investigating this case. Hopefully, it can be quickly revealed,” he hoped. (kmb21/nik)

A spa and restaurant building burned out Bali Post

GIANYAR - Though it rain heavily in Gianyar on Friday night (Dec 20), the fire occurred to spa and restaurant building at Villa Byukukung on Jalan Sugriwa, Padangtegal, Ubud, Gianyar, was inevitable. The roof of building made of reeds burned out in the flames.

Meanwhile, firefighters of the Gianyar Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) brought in to the scene were also overwhelmed because the fire truck got difficulty to reach the remote location.

The fire was known at 10:15 p.m., where the flames enlightened the sky at that night. The fire devoured the building freely so the employees and surrounding residents did not dare to get near.

Some explosions of LPG tube were heard over and over again. Suteja, one of the employees at the spa and restaurant of Byukukung Villas, claimed to be notified about the fire by residents. At that time, the fire had looked so large and enveloped the entire building.

Since there were many hotspots,

the BPBD Gianyar should deploy the entire potential. Even, a new fire truck owned by the BPBD Gianyar was also involved to extinguish the fire. Having worked hard to put out the fire for two hours, the firefighters managed to extinguish the fire burning the building. The losses occurred due to the incident was estimated to reach hundreds of millions.

Responding to the fire incident, police also deployed its personnel to conduct a crime scene examination. Chief of Ubud Police, I Wayan Sumara, said that based on police investigation the fire was estimated to originate in the spark from water heater in the spa which then caused the LPG tube to explode. The building sizing 6 x 10 meters totally burned out.

Blaze of the fire burning out the spa and restaurant building was caused by the remote location from public road so it was difficult for fire truck to reach the location. In addition, the building roof made of reeds was also the cause so that no building could be saved. (kmb16)

New Year’s Eve celebration IBP

Each year, Archipelago International’s hotels host some of the most exciting New Year’s Eve celebrations in Bali. This year, a variety of celebrations will boast different themes that are set to gather the crowds to celebrate a New Year of happiness and fortune ahead.

- “A Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea”

The New Year’s Eve Celebration at Grand Aston Bali Beach Resort will begin with a cocktail reception at 07.30 pm, followed by a splendid gala buffet dinner accompanied by a live band and DJ as well as a cabaret and hula performance. Guests can

1 Jan Buda Kliwon Matal, Kajeng Kliwon And Tilem Sasih Kenam Pura Desa Sukawati Sukawati Pura Pasek Gelgel Gelgel Bebetin Pura Maspahit Sesetan Pura Padharman Arya Kanuruhan Besakih

15 Jan Purnama Sasih Kapitu Pura Dalem Tarukan Cemenggaon Sukawati Pura Penataran Dalem Ketut Pejeng Kaja Gianyar Pura Puseh Manakaji Peninjauan Bangli Pura Taman Limut Pengosekan Mas Ubud Pura Benua Besakih Pura Gunung Rena Sidemen Karangasem Pura Pasek Gelgel Abadi Karangasem Pura Pucak Gunung Mangun Kubu Karangasem

The firemen are trying to estinguish the fire in the spa and restaurant building at Villa Byukukung on Jalan Sugriwa, Padangtegal, Ubud, Gianyar

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

(0370) 639543, Facsimile: (0370) 628257. Publisher: PT Bali Post

- “The Night of Indiana Jones”

At Aston Denpasar Hotel & Convention

- “New Year’s Eve Vows”

favehotel Umalas will be celebrating in style with complimentary make-up for guests by professional makeup artist, Lt Pro, as well as a Sunset reception, a Gala Dinner, and DJ Putu Anjz (one of the most talented & raw female Djs in Bali) playing late into the night. There will also be a Fashion Show

Calendar Event for January 1 through February 26, 2014

11 Jan Tumpek Kandang Pura Desa Gianyar Pura Luhur Dalem Sagening Kediri Tabanan Pura Sang Hyang Tegal Tegalalang

IBP/File

catch the house of Sommelier anytime before noon on the 31st to enjoy Wine, Champagne & Cigar Festivities with a 10% discount on any advance orders.

Center, the New Year’s Eve Celebration will see a gala dinner entertained by a fire dance, a belly dance, a magician, juggling, a fortune teller and instant photo booths, as well as awards for best costumes, door prizes and many more.

16 Jan Kajeng Kliwon Uwudan

17 Jan Hari Bhatara Sri 21 Jan Anggara Kasih Prangbakat Pura Bukit Buluh Gunaksa Klungkung Pura Tirtha Sidamala Bebalang Bangli Pura Gunung Pangsong Lombok Pura Dalem Benawah Gianyar Pura Dalem Bitra Gianyar Pura Pura Hyang Haluh/Jenggala Besakih

Pura Tengkulak Tulikup Gianyar Pura Taman Sari Ubud Pura Penataran Badung

Pura Penataran Giri Purwo Tegal Delimo Banyuwangi Pura jala Sidhi amerta Juanda Surabaya

29 Jan Hari Siwaratri

19 Feb Buda Cemeng Kelawu Pura Penataran Agung Teluk Padang Karangasem Pura Melanting Camenggaon Sukawati Pura Penataran ped Nusa Penida Pura Gaduhan Jagat Singakerta Ubud Pura Masceti Sanding Tampak Siring Pura Penataran Batu Lepang Kamasan Kelungkung Pura Paibon Pasek Gelgel Kedonganan Kuta Pura Guwa Besakih Pura Basukian Besakih Pura Jati Ubud Pura Melanting Ubud Pura Dalem Peed Nusa Penida Pura Sad Kayangan Nusa Penida Pura Penataran Agung Gunung Karangasem

30 Jan Tilem Sasih Kepitu Pura Buana Kawan Besakih Pura Ulun Kulkul Besakih 31 Jan Kajeng Kliwon Enyitan 5 Feb Buda Kliwon Ugu Pura Dalem Tarukan Peninjauan Tembuku Bangli Pura Pemayun Banyuning Tengah Buleleng Pura Kayangan Tiga Seririt Buleleng Pura Agung Gunung Raung Taro Tegalalang 6 Feb Pura Dalem Puri Besakih 14 Feb Purnama Sasih Kawulu Pura Dalem Batur Bangli Pura Ida Ratu Pasek Besakih Pura Dalem Suci Sidemen Karangasem Pura Buana Kawan Besakih 15 Feb Tumpek Wayang & Kajeng Kliwon Uwudan Pura Majapahit Jembrana Pura Panti Gelgel Pengembungan Sesetan Pura Pedarman Dalem Sukawati Besakih Pura Pedarman Mengwi Besakih Pura Pedarman Kaba-kaba Besakih Pura Pedarman Dalem Bakas Besakih Pura Pedarman Dinasti Dalem Besakih

21 Feb Hari Bhatara Sri 25 Feb Anggara Kasih Dukut Pura Dalem Batuyang Batubulan Pura Pasek Gelgel Mengening Kediri Tabanan Pura Pasek Undagi Krambitan Tabanan Pura Pucak Taman bedulu Gianyar Pura Puser Jagat Nusa Penida Pura Dalem Purwa Kawan Bangli Pura Desa Ketewel Gianyar 26 Feb Pura Agung Pasek gelgel Sibang Kaja Abian Semal Pura Dalem Samprangan Gianyar

showcasing the 2014 bridal & beachwear trends, as well as Games & Door prizes.

“The various attractive offers and celebrations that we are holding for New Year’s Eve are part of our commitment to creativity and development that continues to give us satisfaction each year. We thank our guests and our friends for giving us the opportunity to serve during the year 2013, and we vow to always improve each year with top care and priority. We wish you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year!” says Norbert Vas, Vice President Sales & Marketing Archipelago International.

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

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

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

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

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

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Monday, December 23, 2013

Lifestyle

Online shopping popular, but won’t save season Associated Press Writer

ATLANTA — More Americans are deciding to shop online this holiday season instead of heading to crowded stores.

But that alone won’t save what is turning out to be a ho-hum Christmas for department stores and clothing chains. Online sales have surged 9 percent so far this holiday season as WalMart, Macy’s and other retailers improved their web sites and prices to better compete with their online nemesis Amazon.com.

Meanwhile, shopping at physical stores is up just 2 percent.

Still, it is estimated that for every $9 shoppers spend in physical stores during the two-month season that ends on New Year’s Eve, they’ll only spend $1 online, according to research firm comScore.

Why? Retailers haven’t solved many of the challenges that initially turned many shoppers off from buying online. Some web sites still crash fairly frequently. Hot merchandise often sells out quickly online. And retailers haven’t convinced people to use their shopping apps on smartphones and tablets.

These lingering issues come from years of brick-and-mortar retailers mostly ignoring the possibilities of online shopping while online giants like Amazon got shoppers used to the convenience of it. Solving these

problems will help determine how retailers fare during the holiday season and beyond as shoppers increasingly buy online.

“The people that are going to win ... are the ones that are there for the customer however they want to shop,” said Joel Anderson, president and CEO of Walmart.com, WalMart’s online business.

The growing interest in online shopping is evident this season. Sales at physical stores were up 2 percent to $176.7 billion from Nov. 1 through last Sunday compared with the same period last year, according to ShopperTrak, a Chicago store data tracker.

Meanwhile, online spending from home and work desktop computers was up 9 percent to $37.8 billion, according to research firm comScore.

AP Photo/Julio Cortez

In this Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, photo, a sign for a shopping application is placed at the toys section in Kmart, in New York. Mobile shopping accounts for about 10 percent of online sales this season, but it made up half of all online traffic during Black Friday weekend, according to IBM Benchmark, which did not give dollar amounts.

Memorials mark Lockerbie attack anniversary Associated Press Writer

ARLINGTON, Va. — Families of some of the 270 people who died in an airliner bombing 25 years

ago gathered for memorial services Saturday in the United States and Britain, honoring victims of a terror attack that killed dozens of American college students and created instant

havoc in the Scottish town where wreckage of the plane rained down.

Bagpipes played and wreaths were laid in the Scottish town of Lockerbie and mourners gathered

AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

Relatives and friends of the victims of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 gather around the memorial cairn at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Va., Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013, during a memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of the bombing of the Pan Am Flight 103 that crashed over Lockerbie, Scotland.

for a moment of silence at London’s Westminster Abbey, while U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder told victims’ relatives at Arlington National Cemetery that they should take comfort in their unity even if time cannot erase their loss.

“We keep calling for change, and fighting for justice, on behalf of those no longer with us. We rededicate ourselves — and our nation — to the qualities that defined the men and women that we lost,” Holder said.

The events marked the 25th anniversary of the explosion of Pan Am 103, a New York-bound flight that exploded over Lockerbie less than an hour after takeoff from London on Dec. 21, 1988. Many of the victims were American college students flying home for Christmas, including 35 Syracuse University students participating in study abroad programs.

The attack, caused by a bomb packed into a suitcase, killed 259 people aboard the plane, and 11 others on the ground also died.

The Arlington ceremony took place beside a cairn of 270 blocks of red Scottish sandstone, a memorial structure dedicated to the attack.

Wreaths flanked the structure, the

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ceremonial “Taps” was played and victims’ relatives recited the names of the people killed.

Former FBI director Robert Mueller, said he would never forget the haunting sight of the victims’ personal belongings — a white sneaker, Christmas presents, a Syracuse sweat shirt, photographs — at a warehouse in Lockerbie when he traveled there to investigate the case as a Justice Department prosecutor.

Whitney Davis lost her younger sister Shannon, a Syracuse student, and friends in the explosion. She said she learned of the attack after returning home from Syracuse, which she also attended. There was initial hope that survivors would be found and uncertainty that the explosion was an act of terror. But the grief was immediate.

“I was angry. I was in disbelief.

Mom was in shock, my brother was not saying much and I just was throwing snowballs at the sky and wondering how this could have happened,” said Davis, of Bend, Ore., who brought her 8-year-old daughter to the memorial in Virginia. “It’s important that she know who her aunt was and who her aunt could have been,” she said.

Monday, December 23, 2013

3

Facing ASEAN free market

Quality of local fruits needs improving Bali Post

DENPASAR - The agriculture is believed to be one of the hardest sectors in facing the trade integration and liberalization of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) 2015 as a result of the protection policies and subsidies. This sector is believed to be even more desperate if the government or related agency does not immediately find a solution in order the superior products owned by Bali in particular is able to compete against the outside products having flooded the market.

“Now, the fruit market has been flooded by imported products.

Similarly, Bali still relies on imported beef. In other words, when the ASEAN free market 2015 is in effect, the price of local products tends to be lower and is unable to compete against the foreign products. If this is not addressed from now, imported products will probably circulate more freely in Bali, and the agricultural sector will increasingly marginalized,” said Chairman of the Indonesian Farmers Union (HKTI) of Bali, Prof. Nyoman Suparta.

Further, he said the policy on the specialization of superior food products could be an effective way to optimize the domestic (local) agricultural resources. With this policy, the agricultural products would be able to compete against the Southeast Asian countries when the ASEAN free market would be in effect. “Specialization can be a way for our product to be more competitive later on in the free trade. Focus on the improvement of competitiveness for our local products also need to continue,” he explained.

In terms of readiness of the players in the agricultural sector, he admitted, the ASEAN free market was indeed very threatening the local products. Moreover, all this time the government had never seriously been preparing human resources to face the external pressure. “But, like it or dislike it, the ASEAN free trade will still come. To the end, the effort to improve the product quality, chiefly the superior products owned while preparing human resources, must continue to be done,” he said.

Similar opinion was also expressed by a lecturer from the Udayana University, Prof. Wayan Windia. According to him, without the ASEAN free trade 2015, the agricultural products alone had been losing the competitiveness against the flood of imported products in the market.

In order to win the market, the domestic horticultural products should have good quality and could compete in terms of price and distribution. Farmers needed to be provided with post-harvest handling that could boost the sell-

IBP/Eka Adhiyasa

Now, the fruit market has been flooded by imported products. Policy on the specialization of superior food products could be an effective way to optimize the domestic (local) agricultural resources. ing price at the seller level. Not only that, the agricultural products yielded and offered should have specific advantages as well.

According to him, the marketing of agricultural products both in fresh and processed form required specific strategies so as to be recognized and selected by the

communities. “The agricultural producers must find particular ways in order that their products have uniqueness compared to the other agricultural products,” he said.

He said that government should make a variety of strategic policies for the agricultural develop-

ment such as the cost of research in order to produce the agricultural products that could satisfy the consumers. Afterward, there should be a movement to love local products that had to be implemented by gubernatorial regulation, regent regulation and mayoral regulation. (kmb28)

Flushed by heavy rain

Roof of SDN 3 Songan finally collapses Bali Post

IBP/Swasrina

The roof SDN 3 Songan elementary school previously undergoing damage in the ceiling finally collapsed after flushed by heavy rain. Roof tiles and a number of supporting poles were tumbling and shifting from its original position.

BANGLI - The roof SDN 3 Songan elementary school previously undergoing damage in the ceiling finally collapsed after flushed by heavy rain. Roof tiles and a number of supporting poles were tumbling and shifting from its original position. Luckily, no casualties were reported in the incident because the students had been evacuated to SMPN 4 Kintamani junior high school since a few weeks ago.

Based on observation on Saturday (Dec 21), the roof of the two classroom buildings of the school located at Yeh Panes hamlet, Songan B village, Kintamani, Bangli, collapsed and fell down.

Roof of the classroom building were scattered, while supporting poles of the building also looked

to have broken.

According to Principal of the SDN 3 Songan, Ni Wayan Pertami, actually the roof of the classroom collapsed on Sunday (Dec 15). Due to persistent heavy rain, the roof condition estimated to be strong enough to hold the burden finally collapsed completely around 04:15 a.m.

The collapsed classrooms were the ones formerly occupied by grade 1 and grade 2. Luckily, when the incident occurred, the students were not at the scene as they had been evacuated to SMPN 4 Kintamani since some time ago.

“No casualties were reported in this incident as it happened at night. Besides, the students are also still enjoying semester holiday and accidentally the learning activities have been moved to

SMPN 4 Kintamani so the school only holds the administrative services,” said Pertami.

Meanwhile, on Saturday morning a number of employees of the Bangli Education Agency along with local residents looked to perform a mutual assistance to clean up the debris of collapsed school buildings. A number of remaining roofs were taken down.

It was carried out to anticipate any unfavorable thing.

Related to such conditions, the Secretary of Bangli Education Agency, Wayan Sudiarsa, when asked for his confirmation said that his party had delivered the matter to the regent. As for the follow-up, the government planned to make improvement that would be allocated in the main regional budget 2014. (ina)

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Bali News

Monday, December 23, 2013

International

Australian tourist found dead hanging in his bungalow Bali Post

AMLAPURA - An Australian tourist named Nixon Craig Mixel, 35, was found to have died due to hanging in the back garden of room No.03 at Puri Oka Beach Bungalows, Candidasa, Karangasem, Saturday (Dec 21). As preliminary allegation, Chief of Karangasem Selective Police, Ida Bagus Mertayasa, told at the scene that the victim died due to hanging himself.

From the observation, the victim’s body was found in a crosslegged sitting position. Other than the bougainvillea plant behind his room was very low, the leather belt used to hang his neck was also long. Body of the victim was found hanging where his neck was snared in the bougainvillea plant with animal skin belt. Police perform-

ing the crime scene investigation was surprised why the victim with tall posture could die of hanging in kneeing position.

Police chief said that his party was still deepening the case whether the victim died because he purely hanged himself or for other reasons.

After the scene examination, the victim’s body was evacuated and

then put into a body bag and sent to the morgue installation of Sanglah Hospital for autopsy. It was intended to determine the cause of victim’s death. From the initial examination at the scene, it was found there were no scars of violence. Victim’s body was only wearing white panties. The beige shorts alleged to have been put on previously was placed on the branch of the three where he was hanging.

The death of Nixon was first known by two local room boys, Nengah Suarjana and Sarinata about 3 o’clock in the afternoon last Saturday. At that time, the room boys were curious because the victim had not gone out of the

room since the morning and had no breakfast. Usually, Suarjana said the victim had breakfast regularly.

Due to their curiosity as he did not open the door, Suarjana called the victim whether the room needed cleaning. He had been repeatedly called but there was no reply. When having been looked, the victim was hanged in the position of sitting in kneeing position. The witnesses then reported the case to hotel manager and the report was then forwarded to police.

A number of local hotel employees did not think if the victim’s fate was so tragic. The victim was known to be humorist.

A female hotel employee said the

victim also had no complaints of pain or never told if the victim had a problem.

The property of victim found in his room was a large suitcase containing clothes. Meanwhile, another small bag containing many different kinds of medicines, a bottle of whiskey, cellular phone and cash worth IDR 424,000 and banknote worth USD 150 dollars of 50 denomination as well as a number of Australian dollar coins. It was also found some documents and visa. After the Australian tourist’s body was found hanging in a narrow garden behind the bungalow, many residents of Candidasa was in commotion and came to the scene. (013)

International

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Monday, December 23, 2013

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Storms kill 2 in southern US, thousands lose power Associated Press Writer

MONROE, La. — A storm system swept across the central and southern U.S. on Saturday, bringing tornadoes and wind gusts that ripped roofs from barns and hurled trees into power lines, officials said. At least two people were killed.

Trade Agency inspects supermarket Cliff avalanches, Expired food and damaged packaging found a house damaged

A man died after his mobile home overturned in northern Mississippi, said Coahoma County Coroner Scotty Meredith. Another man was killed when his car hit a tree that had fallen across a county road in southeastern Mississippi. A woman who was in the car was critically injured, Jasper County Coroner Randy Graham said.

Wind caused the roof of a fitness center in a strip mall to collapse in Senatobia, 40 miles south of Memphis, Tenn. No injuries were reported. “I think it buckled the back part of it,” Tate County Emergency Management director Kim Brownlee said. “There’s water pouring in the back of that place.” At the storm’s height, more than 22,000 people lost power in northern Mississippi, though that number was beginning to fall late Saturday night.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of residents lost electricity after heavy rain and strong gusts of up to 60 mph whipped northern Louisiana. Some areas had as much as three inches of rain, said National Weather Service meteorologist Bill Adams.

High winds ripped the front facade off the

Bali Post

IBP/File

The officers of Buleleng regency inspected the supermarket in the area.

SINGARAJA - Ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebration, a joint team of the Buleleng Cooperative, Trade and Industry Agency and police authority conducted an inspection to minimarkets and supermarkets in Singaraja, Friday (Dec 20). As a result, the team encountered a number of expired foods as well as some damaged and rusty canned packaging.

Led by the Head of Buleleng Cooperative, Trade and Industry Agency, Ni Made Arnika, the inspection was made to a number of supermarkets such as the Tirta Dewata, ABD Food Mart and Hardys Supermarket.

In the inspection, the team examined the food and beverages, especially those that were sold in plastic and can containers. From the observations, it was known that some canned foods were already damaged and rusty. Likewise, it was also found some expired foods.

The Agency then asked the sellers to withdraw their stuff and not to sell them.

The Head of the Cooperative, Trade and Industry Agency, Ni Made Arnika, said the check was deliberately held to anticipate the fraudulent actions made by the management by selling unworthy food for consumption, especially before the Christmas and New Year celebration. “It is a check ahead of Christmas and New Year. We expect the management of modern stores and supermarkets and other stores not to sell goods that are not fit for consumption,” she said.

According to Arnika, for the time being her party asked the management not to sell goods that were unfit for consumption. If the request was not obeyed, the supermarket management would be imposed with a decisive sanction in accordance with the provisions. “We ask to withdraw the foods and they may no longer be sold. If they persist on selling them, our party will impose a strict sanction,” she said. (kmb15)

Bali Post

TABANAN - Rain continued to bring in disaster in Tabanan. After lightning, it was followed by avalanche. A 25-meter-high cliff at Multi Ria Asri Housing, Sanggulan, Banjaranyar village, Kediri, avalanched on Friday night (Dec 20). One of the houses was damaged and foundation of another house was eroded by the avalanche. No casualties were reported in the incident.

Information at the location told if the avalanche was estimated to happen at 9:00 p.m. following a heavy rain since the afternoon. Allegedly the land was labile, so the cliff along 40 meters suddenly avalanched. A house to be occupied was badly damaged. Its rear part collapsed and was washed away by the avalanche. The wall was also broken and foundation of the house having been completed was also eroded. Fortunately, during the incident, the workers stayed away from the project location. So, no one was afflicted by the avalanche.

Even though there were no casualties, the avalanche triggered new problems because the avalanche materials stockpiled the stream flowing to Subak Demung, Kediri. As a result, the water flow to the paddy field totally gridlocked. On Saturday, a number of workers were trying to get rid of the avalanche materials.

Their target was restoring the buried streams. “We will attempt to normalize the watersheds immediately,” said Made Adnyana, the project owner, Saturday (Dec 21).

The man from Bajera village, Selemadeg, claimed to suffer losses up to IDR 500 million. He said the avalanched cliff was indeed a backfill. However, it had been tamped two years ago.

Allegedly, due to the weather, the land became unstable and triggered the avalanche. Explained, the house eroded by the avalanche just needed finishing and then could be immediately occupied. Meanwhile, the next foundation was still under construction. As a result of this incident, the project activities had to be stopped.

Chief of Kediri Police, Ronny Riantoko Epang, confirmed the incident. Results of witness’ testimony, he said, indicated if the avalanche occurred when it rained heavily. Allegedly, the land was unstable after continuous rain. “But, there was no loss of life,” he explained. The damage, he said, happened to the type-36 house. Among the row of houses at the location, only one unit was damaged and washed away by the avalanche. (kmn30)

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REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

A woman stands with an umbrella during snowfall at Central Park in New York, December 17, 2013. Several inches of snow was forecasted to fall across the northeast U.S. on Tuesday as winter storm warnings were put in place, said the National Weather Service, according to local reports.

Books-a-Million bookstore in the northern town of Monroe, 100 miles east of Shreveport. The area in front of the store was full of storm debris.

To the northwest in Union Parish, Sheriff Dusty Gates said damage was widespread across the parish of 28,000 residents. Trees fell on houses, across roads and on power lines. No injuries were reported by late Saturday, although some areas were cut off and not accessible due to bad weather.

“There are still several areas we have not been able to access to check on,” he said.

National Weather Service meteorologist Bill Parker said a possible tornado hit the town of Downsville mid-afternoon on Saturday.

The Weather Service has yet to confirm it was a twister.

Downsville Mayor Reggie Skains said a number of barns and chicken houses were damaged on the edge of his village of 250 people, including a barn on his farm. “We had about a $500,000 barn over there and it blew about half of it away,” Skains said by phone.

Downsville resident Albert Mayo said he was napping when the storm came through. “I thought the roof was going to come off, there was so much pressure,” Mayo said.

More than 40,000 customers lost power in northern parts of the state. Claiborne Electric Cooperative saw more than half of its 23,000 customers lose power when a transmission line was blown down, disrupting power to three substations.

Mafia toxic waste dumping poisons Italy farmlands

Associated Press Writer

CAIVANO, Italy — On Ciro Fusco’s farm in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, police swooped down one recent day and planted a warning sign in his broccoli fields, prohibiting anyone from harvesting or even setting foot on the plot.

Dozens of other fields in the area were sequestered in the same way.

Decades of toxic waste dumping by the Camorra crime syndicate that dominates the Naples area poisoned wells, authorities have found in recent months, tainting the water that irrigates crops with high levels of lead, arsenic and the industrial solvent tetrachloride.

The warning came too late: Fusco had already sold some of his broccoli at nearby markets. The farmlands around Naples, authorities say, are contaminated from the Mafia’s multibillion-dollar racket in disposing toxic waste, mainly from industries in the wealthy north that ask no questions about where the garbage goes as long as it’s taken off their hands — for a fraction of the cost of legal disposal. The poisoning is triggering widespread

fear and outrage in the Naples area, and tens of thousands of people marched through the city’s chaotic streets last month demanding to know whether they have been eating tainted vegetables for years.

In an interview with The Associated Press, the head of the Naples environmental police force rattled off a list of substances in higher than permissible levels contaminating 13 irrigation wells on farmlands: arsenic, cadmium, tin, beryllium and other metals; tetrachloride and tolulene among other chemicals used as industrial solvents.

Gen. Sergio Costa did not provide specific levels as tests were ongoing, but described the amounts as reaching “dangerous” levels. On one farm in Caivano, Costa said, four times the permissible level of lead was found in the irrigation well’s water. Cabbages irrigated by that water were found to be contaminated with lead, although tomatoes irrigated with the same well showed no harmful lead levels, said Costa — illustrating the complexity of testing crops for toxicity. The wells are not used for drinking water.

Analyses of the vegetables are still being conducted, and Fusco was waiting to learn if his family’s farm’s broccoli was tainted. Costa said the crops, irrigated by wells later found to be contaminated, were sold only in markets in the Naples area.

Officials estimate that waste seepage from one of the more notorious sites, a hill-like dump in the nearby farm town of Giugliano, a short drive away, will keep poisoning the water for half a century.

A top Camorra boss, Francesco Bidognetti, was convicted last month of poisoning the water table in the town of Gugliano with toxic waste and received a 20-year sentence. It was by far the stiffest punishment yet for waste dumping and a strong sign that the state is cracking down on the lucrative racket. Much of the waste the Camorra has trafficked has come from factories, processing plants and hospitals, mainly trucked down from in Italy’s industrial north to the mobsters’ power base near Naples and Caserta.

Some of the waste was buried under a soccer field in Casal di Principe, the stronghold of the

Casalesi crime clan that dominates the illicit business, along with a few other families. Naples-based antiMafia Prosecutor Giovanni Conzo

said in an interview that waste was also buried under a water-skiing pool in the town of Castel Volturno, near the sea.

AP Photo/Salvatore Laporta

In this Nov. 18, 2013 photo, rubbish is piled on the edge of cultivated land near Caivano, in the surroundings of Naples, southern Italy.

Dozens of fields in the area were sequestered by police, prohibiting any one from harvesting or even setting foot on the plot.

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International

Monday, December 23, 2013

BUSINESS

LONDON - Britain is cementing its economic growth recovery, official data revealed on Friday, as the government’s deficit-reduction programme won support from the Standard and Poor’s ratings agency.

But analysts voiced doubts surrounding the duration of the recovery as separate figures revealed a widening of the country’s public deficit, adding to market concerns over Europe-wide growth.

The Office for National Statistics said British gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.8 percent in the third quarter, confirming previous estimates, while the data came at the end of a week in which Britain announced a larger-than-expected

drop to unemployment.

Also on Friday, the ONS said the government’s public sector net borrowing requirement, excluding taxpayers’ money used to rescue banks, rose to £16.5 billion ($27 billion, 19.7 billion euros) in November compared with £15.6 billion a year earlier.

Ahead of the data, Standard and Poor’s confirmed its top ‘AAA’ credit rating for Britain, noting the government’s commitment to re-

Bali News

TORONTO — BlackBerry reported a massive $4.4 billion loss in the third quarter and a 56 percent drop in revenue in its first quarterly report under new chairman and chief executive John Chen.

Despite the results, Chen said on a conference call with analysts that BlackBerry “has a really good shot” of turning a profit in 2016 and management will try its best to achieve the goal. Chen later laughed when an analyst wished him the “best of luck.”

The former Sybase CEO is credited with turning around Sybase, a data company that was sold to SAP in 2010. Chen said reviving BlackBerry will be his most “complicated” challenge but noted, however, that the company has $3.2 billion in cash, which will “definitely allow us to engineer our turnaround.”

BlackBerry also announced Friday that it’s entering into a fiveyear partnership with Foxconn, the Taiwanese company that assembles products in vast factories in China. Foxconn, known for its manufacturing contract work on Apple’s iPhones and iPads, will jointly design and manufacture most BlackBerry devices and

manage inventory of the devices in an agreement that will offload much of BlackBerry’s manufacturing costs.

“I’m hoping we never have to have a conversation going forward about inventory write downs,” Chen said.

He said Foxconn’s BlackBerry phones will be released in March or April and will be built in Indonesia and Mexico.

BlackBerry reported revenue of $1.2 billion, down from $2.7 billion in the same quarter last year.

Chen has said the company “is very much alive” but is putting more emphasis on Blackberry’s software business than its hardware business.

“I’ll be happy to have a breakeven or a low margin device business and then have that help us to monetize software,” said Chen, who he is dropping the interim label from his title, said the market has spoken. BlackBerry said it sold just 1.9 million smartphones in the quarter compared to 3.7 million in the previous quarter.

Most of those were old BlackBerry 7 devices. This year’s launch of BlackBerry 10, its revamped operating system, and fancier devices — the touchscreen Z10 and Q10 for keyboard loyalists — was supposed to rejuvenate the brand

5

ducing its budget deficit even if the deep austerity measures continue to slash public sector jobs.

Offsetting these losses has been a pick-up in jobs created by the private sector.

“Markedly rising employment and a robust housing market will likely underpin consumer spending over the coming months,” Howard Archer, chief European & UK economist at consultants IHS Global Insight, said on Friday.

Archer also noted however that “if the recovery is to be sustained at a healthy pace, it really does need a marked, extended pick up in business investment and for exports to improve markedly”.

Gross domestic product grew by an upwardly-revised 1.9 percent in the third quarter or three months up to the end of September, compared with output a year earlier, the ONS added on Friday. The prior estimate had stood at 1.5 percent.

At 0.8 percent, the quarteronquarter rate marked the fastest pace for more than three years. The government welcomed the figures.

“Today’s data show that the recovery has been stronger than previously thought and that the government’s long term economic plan is working,” a Treasury spokesperson said.

“But risks remain and the job is not done, so the government will

go on taking the difficult decisions needed to deliver a responsible recovery for all.” S&P holds top rating Standard and Poor’s on Friday confirmed its top ‘AAA’ credit rating for Britain, noting the government’s commitment to reducing its budget deficit.

It comes as S&P downgraded the European Union’s long-term credit rating one notch, from “AAA” to “AA+”, citing weaker credit worthiness among the bloc. Britain is part of the EU but not the single currency eurozone bloc.

The ratings agency said it expected average annual British GDP growth of more than 2.0 percent during 2013-2016.

Newly-wed must not pass Sapuh Jagad Temple IBP

MENGWI - In Bali, all temples are considered haunted and sacred. Even, each temple has its own uniqueness. One of them is the Sapuh Jagad Temple located at Pemaron hamlet, Munggu village, Mengwi subdistrict, Badung. In this representative temple is venerated the Lord Pucak Mangu who will provide safety and health for his pious, enterprising and diligent prayers.

BlackBerry posts 3Q loss of $4.4 billion

Associated Press

Monday, December 23, 2013

Fear of being childless

British economy in cautious recovery heading into 2014 Agence France-Presse

International

and lure customers. But the muchdelayed phones failed to turn the company around and have led to a billion dollar loss last quarter and a $1.6 billion loss in the third quarter.

“It was ugly,” said Colin Gillis, an analyst at BGC Partners.

Gillis said the Foxconn agreement may help keep Blackberry alive by offering lower cost phones into the emerging markets like Indonesia with minimal inventory risk to the company. It also allows Blackberry to focus on designing and producing a small batch of devices for high end business users where security is paramount, and where the company still has pockets of loyalty, he said.

B l a c k B e r r y ’s n e t l o s s amounted to $8.37 per share in the latest quarter. Its adjusted loss from continuing operations, which excludes restructuring and other items, was $354 million, or 67 cents per share.

The BlackBerry smartphone, pioneered in 1999, had been the dominant mobile device for on-the-go business people and

other consumers before Apple introduced the iPhone in 2007.

Apple’s device showed that phones could handle much more than email and calls. In the years since, BlackBerry Ltd. has been hammered by competition from the iPhone as well as Android-based rivals.

Chen is putting more emphasis on BlackBerry’s mobile

device management business, a collection of software that allows IT departments to manage different devices connected to their corporate networks. He is also emphasizing BlackBerry’s popular BlackBerry Messenger application that is now also available on Apple and Android devices.

This April 23, 2013 file photo shows a BlackBerry Q10 smartphone in Toronto. BlackBerry on Friday, Dec. 20, 2013 reported a massive $4.4 billion loss in the third quarter and 56 percent drop in revenue.

AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Graeme Roy, File

IBP/File Photo

Indeed, the location seems haunted because it is perched at the corner of the village, over the river and surrounded by large trees. There also grows a large and old twin sterculia tree spreading the aura believed to be haunted, so the temple environment becomes sacred. “Every passerby on the street in front of the temple always puts offering to beg safety on the road and at workplace,” said Dewa Suarta, one of the residents of local village.

The temple venerated by residents of Pemaron hamlet is famous for its sacredness, so there is some abstinence to be followed. For example, a new bride may not cross the street in front of the temple and the dead person may not, either. “It has become a tradition for villagers of Munggu and Kaba - Kaba as a neighboring village belonging to Tabanan County,” he explained.

Does this tradition also apply to people from other villages? Dewa Suarta did not dare to make sure. To be frankly, he said, villagers of Munggu always looked for alternative way in order to secure the wedding ceremony.

Although the home of the bride was close, sometimes they should cross a rice field or lanes to get to the bride’s or bridegroom’s home.

Likewise, the residents of Kaba - Kaba village located adjacent to Munggu village also believed it. As having no choice, the bride should pass through Buduk village, which was very far away. “Many of our residents, especially those having a wedding ceremony, have to find out alternative pathway through Buduk village so as not to pass in front of the temple,” said I Ketut Sukadana confirming.

Why can it happen? Both Dewa Suarta and Sukadana said that if such abstinence was violated the new bride would not survive. For instance, they might pass away without causes, fell sick and never cured or had no offspring. “Yesterday, I got information that such condition afflicted my friends who had no children. After being consulted to a medium, he was told to have violated such unwritten rules,” he said.

It is said the temple was formerly a simple shrine made of bamboo drifting in the river at local village.

Then, a resident who worked as a fisherman picked it up and stuck it at the corner of the village. By local community, it was then built into a bigger and permanent shrine. After a long time, the shrine was made bigger as found today. (kmb)

Ganesha Statue, a Remover of Evil Power

If you are slightly attentive, today many people display the statue of Lord Ganesha, whether at private home, office, businesses or others. Why? The elephant-headed god is usually placed in the front yard, right at aling-aling or divider of courtyard and entrance gate space. At Taman Punggul, Abiansemal - Badung, for instance, virtually every home has a Ganesha statue. Aside from functioning as decorative work, it is also functioned as shrine.

Prof. Dr. I Made Titib, the Rector of the Hindu Dharma Institute (IHDN) of Denpasar, said that Ganesha statue was believed by Hindu community in Bali as a remover of any obstacles (evil intent). It was placed in front of the house as an entry guard. “Ganesha as the son of Lord Shiva serves as ganeswara believed to remove all the obstacles,” he said.

As the gods of wisdom and intelligence, Ganesha statue was placed in schools. Its vehicle was a mouse symbolizing a great wisdom and could always suppress the cunning of mouse. “Broken fang of Ganesha symbolizes if he has been able to eliminate the internal enemy, so that he can also defeat the external enemy,” he explained.

Prof. Titib added that Semaradahana palm-leaf manuscript told about the birth of Ganesha originating from the powerful ogre that disrupted heaven.

Lord Shiva then meditated, so that it was born a god (elephant-headed human). Ganesha baby then fought against the ogre. He was willing to break the

fangs to beat the powerful ogre. “In other words, when we are able to overcome our internal enemies we are surely able to beat the external enemies, too,” he said.

Balinese people also commonly place a Ganesha statue in haunted places. To place the statue did not require special offerings, but depended on the people’s capability. There was no requirement to place a Ganesha statue, but Hindu community believed in its strength. To make it more secure, around the statue was also planted with broadleaf lady palm and holy basil that also functioned to remove evil spirits.

The power of the Lord Ganesha was also evidenced by rishi gana ritual where it was equipped with the installation of Ganesha pennant so that the environment was free from evil spirits. “Many people also directly make the statue, so they feel more confident,” he added.

Meanwhile, Wayan Balik, a sculptor of Sura Patung in Batubulan said that a Ganesha statue could be made from any materials provided that they were sturdy. Some sculptors used stone, clay, concrete, wood, jewelry or gold.

In keeping with the increasingly rampant placement of the decorative sculpture, Balik suggested to pay attention that the statue should be placed honorably. So, it would not be placed haphazardly because it functioned as decoration.

IBP/File Photo

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Monday, December 23, 2013

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RLD

International

Fragile Greek coalition’s majority shrinks Reuters

AP Photo/Cubadebate, Ismael Francisco

Cuba’s President Raul Castro delivers his speech at the closing of the second day of a twiceannual legislative sessions, at the National Assembly in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013.

Castro issued a stern warning to entrepreneurs pushing the boundaries of Cuba’s economic reform, saying “those pressuring us to move faster are moving us toward failure.”

Castro tells US to drop the demands on political front Agence France Presse

Havana - President Raul Castro warned Saturday his country could remain estranged from the United States for decades if Washington does not drop political demands.

“If we really want to make progress in bilateral relations, we have to learn to respect each other’s differences and get used to living peacefully with them.

Otherwise, no. We are ready for another 55 years like this,” Castro said at the legislature’s closing session.

Castro, 82, recently made world headlines for simply sharing a handshake with US President Barack Obama at the

funeral of South Africa’s iconic anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela. The United States and Cuba do not have full bilateral relations.

Wa s h i n g t o n h a s i m p o s e d sanctions on Havana -- the only Communist state in the Americas -- since 1962. To fully normalize relations with Cuba, US law technically requires a change in Cuba’s regime.

“We do not ask the United

States to change its political and social system, nor do we agree to negotiate over ours,” Castro said bluntly. Cuba is always ready to talk as long as its independence and self-determination are not undermined, Castro said.

The United States runs an Air Force base in Cuba’s Guantanamo province against Havana’s will, but which it refuses to leave.

It is home to the controversial US war-on-terror prison camp.

ATHENS - The Greek coalition government’s majority in parliament shrank to just three seats on Saturday after a lawmaker rebelled over a controversial new law to extend property taxes to farmland. Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’s majority of 26 seats after last year’s election has dwindled to the point where it raises the risk of political instability that could hamper recovery and Greece’s ability to meet targets for its international bailout.

Samaras expelled lawmaker Byron Polydoras from the conservatives’ parliamentary group after he refused to back the new tax law demanded by Greece’s lenders. “Lenders’ greed and poor judgment is leading us straight towards humanitarian crisis,” Polydoras said.

His expulsion reduces the parliamentary group of Samaras’s conservative-Socialist coalition government to 153 in the 300-seat parliament. The new legislation, passed on Saturday, replaces a deeply unpopular property levy collected through electricity bills with a broader tax on real estate, including land holdings.

Polydoras had argued that the new tax amounted to confiscation.

Greece has suffered six years of recession and record unemployment of about 27 percent as it has enacted austerity policies under the terms of its 240 billion-euro bailout from the European Union and International Monetary Fund.

Technocrat Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras said this would be the last austerity legislation to be put before lawmakers as the Greek economy begins to recover.

“I am absolutely convinced that parliament will have less onerous issues to deal with in 2014,” he said. The Greek government and lenders expect the economy to grow by 0.6 percent next year, after a 25 percent drop over the past six years.

Benefiting from growing frustration with austerity policies, the main opposition, anti-bailout Syriza party has a 0.4-2.5 point lead over Samaras’s conservative New Democracy party, two newspaper opinion polls showed on Saturday.

DEFIANCE

The government projects the new property tax will bring in about 2.65 billion euros ($3.62 billion) annually, less than the 2.9 billion euros it collected under the previous regime. To offset the shortfall, it will cut its investment program by 200 million euros next year.

The new legislation also reduces the property transfer tax to 3 percent from a previous 8 to 10 percent, to help boost transactions in a moribund market. Apartment prices have plunged by 32 percent since their peak in 2008.

Property accounts for a large chunk of household wealth as Greece has one of the highest home ownership rates in western Europe - 80 percent versus a European Union average of 70 percent - according to European Mortgage Federation data.

Inspectors from the European Union, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund troika agreed to the new tax, even though they had raised concerns on whether Greece can collect it effectively.

International

Monday, December 23, 2013

INDONESIA State revenues reach Rp1,224 trillion Antara

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Finance has recorded the state revenues up to the end of November amounted to Rp1,224 trillion or 81.5 percent of the target set in the revised 2013 State Budget at Rp1,502 trillion.

The directorate general of state treasury said in a written statement recently that Rp936 trillion of the Rp1,224 trillion was contributed by the tax sector or 81.5 percent of the tax revenue target set in the state budget at Rp1,148.4 trillion.

A total of Rp285.5 trillion of the Rp1,224 trillion came from non-tax revenues, or 81.8 percent of the targeted Rp349.2 trillion.

In the meantime, the realization of state expenditures up to the end of November reached Rp1,386.8 trillion, or 80.3 percent of the target set at Rp1,726.2 trillion in the revised 2013 State Budget.

The realization of state expenditures consisted of central government spending worth Rp910 trillion or 76 percent of the target set at Rp1,196.8 trillion and of regional

fund transfer valued at Rp476.8 trillion or 90.1 percent of the target set in the revised 2013 state budget at Rp529.4 trillion.

Thus, the budget deficit up to the end of November 2013 has been reduced to Rp162.8 trillion or 72.6 percent of the target set in the revised 2013 State Budget at Rp224.2 trillion, or about 1.7 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).

Police warn people of terror threats during Christmas celebrations Antara

MEDAN - North Sumatra Regional Police Chief Isp. Gen. Syarief Gunawan has warned the people of terrorist attacks during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

In a roll-call of security forces to be involved in the ‘Operasi Lilin (Candle Light Operations) here over the weekend, Gunawan said that terrorist attack threats still existed today.

He said that there were indications that the threats existed not only in North Sumatra but also in Java and Sulawesi.

The regional police chief added that police had taken preventive measures and followed up indications of threats

by arresting terrorist suspects.

Gunawan said that the terror threats in North Sumatra still existed because a number of terrorist prisoners who had escaped jail had not yet been re-arrested.

Since the Tanjung Gusta jail rioting and the escape of a number of terrorist inmates, the police had continued to hunt them, among others, Fadli Sadama.

“Yesterday, for example, Sadama was arrested but not here. He was nabbed abroad,” the North Sumatra police chief said.

He said that this indicated that terrorist threats still remained.

“Hopefully, we can suppress

Thousands...

From page 1 The Indonesian Police will conduct the Candle Light Operation 2013 prior to Christmas and New Year celebrations in Indonesia, by deploying more than 86 thousand security personnel to ensure public safety and order.

Sutarman revealed that at least 944 staff from the National Police Headquarters and more than 86 thousand personnel from the regional and resort police commands from across the country will be deployed to ensure security and public order, and are prepared for any eventuality during the celebrations.

Sutaraman noted that police officers would be stationed at certain locations, such as houses of prayer, shopping centers, recreation areas, gas stations and other sites. (nik)

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AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana

Indonesian police officers carry their riot gears as they take part in a show of force ahead of Christmas celebration in Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, Dec. 20, 2013. Since the Bali bombings in 2002, the world’s largest Muslim country has been battling terrorists who recently operate in small groups and have targeted security forces and local “infidels” instead of Westerners.

it,” he added.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said recently that there were elements that had planned to disturb security during the year end celebrations.

“I have received a report from the National Police Chief about the plans of certain elements to disturb security and order at certain places,” the President said.

Therefore, the President asked security officials to ensure security during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

“I want all religious celebrations, whether it is for Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists or followers of Confucius, to be peaceful and without any security disturbances,” the President stated at the Halim Perdanakusma military airbase, before departing for Tokyo recently.

The President also called on security officials to be on their guard against certain parties, who would probably take advantage of the momentum of Christmas and the New Year, to disturb the security situation.

“It is a political year and we have felt an escalating political climate in our country. Therefore, I urge all political elite and politicians to exercise self restraint,” he noted.

To anticipate unwanted happenings, the head of state encouraged security and law enforcement officials to work extra hard to ensure security.

Chris John retires after defeat Agence France-Presse

JAKARTA - Indonesian boxing star Chris John said Friday he was retiring two weeks after being dethroned as the world featherweight champion in his first ever loss in an astonishing career.

Known as “The Dragon”, John won the World Boxing Association featherweight champion crown in 2003 and successfully defended it 18 times.

But the 34-year-old finally lost the title to South African boxer Simpiwe Vetyeka in a December 6 bout in Perth, Western Australia, throwing in the towel after six rounds.

During more than 15 years in the ring, John -- who learnt to box using tatty gloves in a rural village -- fought 52 bouts and racked up 48 wins, three draws and just one loss.

“I was disappointed with my last performance but this is the right moment for me to retire,” he told AFP, adding that he was “no longer young”.John, who began boxing professionally in 1997, said he was discussing his retirement plans with his management.

“I take great pleasure in sports so I think there’s nothing wrong if I continue to work in the world of sports,” he said.He works with a Perth-based boxing promoter called Dragon Fire, which organises events in Australia, Indonesia and Singapore.He would not go into details about his retirement plans Friday but in an interview with AFP in April, John said he hoped to train future Indonesian champions after his own professional career came to an end.

The boxer, who has Chinese origins and was raised as a Catholic in the mainly Muslim Southeast Asian country of 250 million, said he wanted to scout and train young talent for Dragon Fire.

In his comments Friday, John also said he wanted to spend more time with his wife and two daughters, aged five and eight.

John’s success in carving out one of boxing’s great modern careers is particularly remarkable given Indonesia is not regarded as a great centre for the sport.There are few well-known Indonesians at the top level of boxing, and John was just the country’s third world champion.

10

Monday, December 23, 2013

Destination

International

Kuning Waterfall IBP

BANGLI - It is situated at Kuning Hamlet in the south of Bangli, near Taman Bali Raja tourist object. This location can be reached by passing through a pathway along 500 meters surrounded by a verdant clove plantation on the right and left side. Here, visitors will perceive a cool and fresh air. The Kuning Waterfall itself is situated at an altitude of 25 meters from the surface of the water of Melangit River flowing southwards. Surrounding nature offers a very beautiful views and unspoiled atmosphere becoming the backdrop of waterfall. Tropical forest nearby still inhabited by thousands of

grey monkeys makes this ecotourism object more challenging.

From Denpasar, direct your vehicle to Bangli either by passing through Sukawati/ Gianyar road section or via Jalan Bypass Ida Bagus Mantra. When arriving at Taman Bali Village, approximately 3 km before the town of Bangli, you will see a T-junction. Take the right turn and follow the road until arriving at a junction near drinking water factory. Then, from the T-junction, turn right until the end of the road near the house of residents. From here, the journey should be resumed on foot along some 300 meters to reach the Kuning Waterfall.

Sports

International

7

Wizards erase 18-point deficit, top Celtics 106-99 Associated Press Writer

BOSTON — Trevor Ariza started and finished a fourth-quarter run that carried the Washington Wizards to a 106-99 comeback win over the Boston Celtics in the NBA on Saturday. Trailing 92-84, Ariza began the 14-1 rally with a jumper from the right corner. John Wall had five of his 20 points in the surge, which was interrupted only by a free throw by Jared Sullinger that gave Boston a 93-91 lead with 3:39 remaining.

Nene tied the game with a short baseline jumper and Wall gave the Wizards their first lead, 95-93, with a 20-footer with 2:5 to go. Marcin Gortat then blocked Sullinger’s shot and Ariza hit a 3-pointer with 2:25 remaining to put Washington ahead 98-93. Ariza scored 27 points as Washington won a third straight game.

The Celtics entered the game in first place in the East’s Atlantic Division. At San Antonio, Russell Westbrook had 31 points and Oklahoma City used a strong second

AP Photo/Michael Dwyer IBP/File Photo

Monday, December 23, 2013

Washington Wizards’ Trevor Ariza (1) shoots against Boston Celtics’ Brandon Bass (30) in the third quarter of an NBA basketball game in Boston, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013. The Wizards won 106-99.

quarter to beat San Antonio for its ninth straight victory. Reggie Jackson had 21 points, Kevin Durant added 17 and Serge Ibaka had 14 points and 14 rebounds for Oklahoma City.

Tony Parker scored 23 points, and Marco Belinelli and Tim Duncan had 17 points apiece for San Antonio, which took only its second home loss. Also, the Memphis Grizzlies ended a five-game losing streak by beating the woeful New York Knicks 95-87.

The Knicks tried to change their luck in home day games, where they had lost by 41 points to the Celtics and 31 to San Antonio in noon starts, by staying in a hotel the night before. They were much more competitive, but far from good enough until it was too late. Dwight Howard had 35 points and 19 rebounds, leading the short-handed Houston

Rockets to a 114-97 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

In one of his best games since joining the Rockets in the offseason, Howard dominated Andre Drummond, Detroit’s promising 20-year-old big man, and helped Houston control the game despite the absence of injured guard James Harden. Carlos Boozer scored 19 points and the short-handed Chicago Bulls ended a four-game losing streak with a 100-84 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

D.J. Augustin scored 18. Tony Snell came on strong in the second half to finish with 17 points, and Chicago prevailed after matching its longest slide in four years under coach Tom Thibodeau.

In Phoenix, Eric Bledsoe scored 25 points and Phoenix matched its season high with 15 3-pointers — in 30 tries — to beat Dallas 123-108 in the Suns’ highest-scoring game of the season.

Gerald Green made 4 of 8 3-pointers en route to 22 points and Channing Frye made 4 of 6 3s and scored 18 in the Suns’ seventh win in their last eight games. Bledsoe made 3 of 4 from beyond the arc. P.J. Tucker was 2 of 3 from long-range and scored 16.

Vettel: F1’s big teams will cope best with rule changes

Sebastian Vettel does not expect the major regulation changes in 2014 to shake up the competitive order dramatically. While some argue that the new rules, which include the introduction of the 1.6-litre V6 turbocharged engines and aerodynamic changes, will allow smaller teams to steal a march on the big guns the four-time world champion does not expect this to happen.

Vettel believes the big squads, such as Red Bull, will be best equipped to adapt to the changes even though he sees 2014 as unpredictable. “It’s very difficult to express expectations, especially with the new engine,” said Vettel. “Nobody really knows what is going to happen but I think it will help the big teams at the front again, so the usual teams.

“It’s not clear in which order and it might be that the gaps are much bigger than they are now.

“It’s tricky because we don’t know how the races are going to unfold and trying to manage only 100kg of fuel on Sunday could be tricky, so we will see.” Vettel’s new team-mate Daniel Ricciardo also expects the established order not to be upset.

He suspects that even if Red Bull struggles early on, it will not take time to turn the situation around. “If Red Bull next year are not on the pace through testing and maybe the first few races, I have faith in the guys that they would find a solution pretty quickly,” he said.

“I expect, at least after the first four or five races, for the top teams still to be the top teams.

“Whether the midfield is going to spread out or get closer, I don’t know.

REUTERS/Nelson Almeida/Pool

Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany is attended to by his crew during a pit stop during the Brazilian F1 Grand Prix at the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo November 24, 2013.

8

International

Monday, December 23, 2013

Sp rt

Reuters

MARRAKECH - Bayern Munich swatted aside Raja Casablanca 2-0 in a one-sided Club World Cup final on Saturday that did little to boost the credibility of a tournament which struggled to an anti-climax. Morocco came to a standstill, an army of Raja fans travelled 250km to the game and King Mohamed was among the 37,000 crowd only for party-pooping Bayern to wrap it up under half an hour.

Defender Dante and midfielder Thiago Alcantara scored the goals on a chilly evening as Bayern added to the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup titles they won last season and continued European dominance of the tournament. European teams have won six of the last seven titles, with Brazilian side Corinthians interrupting the sequence last year, and Saturday’s stroll may reinforce the view that it is little more than a pleasant excursion for them before the winter break.

Bayern scored five goals without conceding any in their two games as they added to the two Intercontinental Cup titles they won in 1976 and 2001. They emulated Manchester United, in 1999, and Inter Milan, in 2010, by winning a league, cup, Champions League and world club quadruple in the same year.

Raja, who changed coaches one week before the start of the tournament, had qualified as champions of host nation Morocco rather than of Africa and had already stunned the CONCACAF representatives Monterrey and South America’s Atletico Mineiro. But a powerful Bayern team, unbeaten in the Bundesliga since October last year, proved a bridge too far for a side who are a modest ninth in their own league.

NERVOUS HOSTS

“They were a little bit nervous because of the crowd, and the presence of his majesty the King,” Raja coach Faouzi Benzarti told reporters. “We were not very aggressive, we were a bit soft.” Benzarti said he was already preparing his players for the less glamorous world of the Moroccan Botola Pro league.

“It will be difficult but we have to return to reality,” he said. “We will do everything we can for them to be prepared. This competition will be here again next year, so we have to win the title to qualify again.” His opposite number Pep Guardiola was critical of his Bayern team for not creating more chances after they had gone ahead.

“We started well and played a very good half hour but after that we forgot to attack,” he said. “It’s not easy to play against a team when you’re 2-0 up and you don’t know them very well. “We have to play until the last minute, that’s what our profession demands. We passed the ball well but without much intention of creating chances.”

Guardiola, who won the same tournament as coach of Barcelona in 2009 and 2011, said the credit lay with predecessor Jupp Heynckes who led Bayern to the treble last season. “This belongs much more

Ronaldinho does little Associated Press Writer

MARRAKECH, Morocco — Free kicks aside, Ronaldinho did little to stake his claim for a spot in Brazil’s World Cup squad in what may have been his last appearance on the international stage. The 33year-old Ronaldinho scored from a superb free kick for the second time at the tournament of continental champions to help rally Atletico Mineiro to a 3-2 win over Guangzhou Evergrande for third place.

But his frustration nearly cost the Brazilian side as he was red-carded for an ugly two-legged stamp on an opponent, moments before Luan scored the winner on the stroke of stoppage time.

Ronaldinho, like his team, looked listless and played with little intensity as the Copa Libertadores champions exited disappointedly to become only the second South American champion to fail to reach the final.

Moroccan club Raja Casablanca upset Atletico 3-1 in the semifinals but ultimately came up short against Bayern Munich in Saturday’s final, losing 2-0.

The frustration seemed to boil over in the 88th minute as Ronaldinho poorly reacted to substitute Zhao Xuri’s own stamp on him, and he lashed out for the second time in the match after also swiping a Guangzhou defender with his elbows. Bayern coach Pep Guar-

to stake World Cup spot diola, who cast Ronaldinho out of Barcelona when taking charge in 2008, had hoped for his club to play the former Barcelona star.

“I saw him in Barcelona like a spectator.

But he lost and Raja Casablanca deserved to play this title,” Guardiola said. “I would have liked to

MILAN — Napoli missed a chance to move provisionally level with second-placed Roma as it was held to 1-1 at Cagliari in Serie A on Saturday. Earlier, Udinese picked up a valuable 2-1 win at fellow struggler Livorno in the final round of Italian league fixtures before the winter break. Napoli remains third but could find itself 10 points behind leader Juventus if the two-time reigning

Atletico Mineiro’s Ronaldinho, celebrates his goal during the third place soccer match between Guangzhou Evergrande and Atletico Mineiro at the Club World Cup soccer tournament in Marrakech, Morocco, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013.

Man City recovers to win 4-2 at Fulham in EPL Associated Press Writer

LONDON — Manchester City substitutes Jesus Navas and James Milner recovered a 4-2 victory at Fulham on Saturday after the visitors threw away a two-goal lead in a rain-lashed English Premier League encounter. Yaya Toure put City in front with his fourth goal from a free kick this season

and captain Vincent Kompany fired in City’s second just before halftime.

But five minutes after the break City conceded possession near the Fulham penalty area, and Kieran Richardson completed a rapid counterattack to begin the hosts’ fightback. In wild, windy conditions on the banks of the River Thames, Fulham was gifted an

equalizer in the 69th. Kompany inexplicably sliced the ball past his own goalkeeper Joe Hart, who was recalled after being dropped in league games since October.

But Navas restored City’s lead in the 78th when he slotted through goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg’s legs. And City ripped through the Fulham defense again five minutes later as

REUTERS/Youssef Boudlal

Germany’s Bayern Munich Philipp Lahm (bottom C) holds the trophy as he celebrates with his teammates after winning their 2013 FIFA Club World Cup final soccer match against Morocco’s Raja Casablanca at Marrakech stadium December 21, 2013. to Jupp and his team than to us,” he said.

FALSE NINE

Guardiola started without a recognised striker as winger Xherdan Shaqiri replaced Mario Mandzukic.

Raja, the second team from outside Europe or South America to reach the final, were only briefly in the contest. Mouhssine Iajour fired wide from a half chance in the fifth minute and from that moment the

hosts were chasing the game.

Two minutes later, Jerome Boateng headed on a corner to Dante who was left all alone in the penalty area and scored emphatically with a shot on the turn.

Raja goalkeeper Khalid Askri was tested by Thomas Mueller and David Alaba before Thiago Alcantara scored from the edge of the area after Alaba pulled the ball back.

Bayern were in almost complete control with 73 percent of possession although goalkeeper Manuel

Neuer offered Raja a chance with a poor clearance in the 38th minute and Chemseddine Chtibi’s effort flew just wide of the goal. The second half was a continuation of the pattern in the first period, with Bayern again enjoying nearly all the possession and Shaqiri hit the bar.

Raja occasionally looked dangerous. Iajour forced Neuer into his first genuine save with a close-range header in the 57th and he also had to block efforts by Vivien Madibe and Badr Kachani.

Napoli held to 1-1 at Cagliari in Serie A Associated Press Writer

9

Monday, December 23, 2013

AP Photo/Christophe Ena

Party-poopers Bayern triumph in Club World Cup

International

champion beats Atalanta on Sunday. Roma plays Catania and would move five points ahead of Napoli with a win.

AC Milan plays city rival Inter in a highly anticipated derby. “We had more chances than they did, but it wasn’t enough,” Napoli coach Rafa Benitez said. “A draw here is not a bad result, but it is for us because we’re chasing the top of the table, even though it was very difficult here.

“Roma and Juve are doing great and

that’s the difference. They play each other (on Jan. 5) so we can close the gap. But we have to think about ourselves. We’re doing better than last year, even after being in the Champions League as well, so what can we do? We need to be perfect.”

Napoli was brimming with confidence after beating Inter Milan 4-2, but it was Cagliari which started the brighter and the Sardinian side took the lead in the ninth minute. Davide Astori dispossessed Italy defender Christian

Maggio and cut back for the unmarked Nene to fire home. The Brazilian thought he scored moments earlier but he was booked for firing at goal after the referee stopped play.

Gonzalo Higuain leveled 10 minutes later with a powerful penalty after Goran Pandev was fouled by Astori. Jose Maria Callejon had a spectacular volley ruled out in the 73rd after the assistant referee spotted that the ball took the slightest of touches off Pandev, who was in an offside position.

AP Photo/Matt Dunham

Manchester City’s Yaya Toure controls the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham and Manchester City at Craven Cottage stadium in London, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013.

Milner scored to condemn Fulham to an eighth loss in nine league games.

While Fulham is next from bottom, City rose provisionally into second place, a point behind Liverpool. “It was a really difficult match because the pitch wasn’t good and it was very windy,” City manager Manuel Pellegrini said.

City can be overtaken by either Arsenal or Chelsea, who play on Monday, but the team’s status as the league’s most formidable attack was reinforced here against the most porous defense.

While City has a leadingleading 55 goals, Fulham has conceded a high of 32. But away from the Etihad Stadium, City has averaged only a point a game this season, and the intensity from the hosts was greater from the outset.

The City defense was easily beaten after 13 minutes, as Adel Taarabt forced Hart into making a fine diving save — one of several that convinced Pellegrini to retain the goalkeeper for Thursday’s match against Liverpool. “At the moment he deserved to play today and he also deserves to continue,” Pellegrini said. “When I put (Costel) Pantilimon in the starting XI I spoke with Joe and he understood that he was not in a good moment.

“Maybe seven games after, one month after, he’s working very hard, and I thought that he deserved another opportunity, and I think he did it well.” City’s opener came in the 23rd minute from a set-piece. After Silva was brought down on the edge of the area, Toure curled in a free kick

off the underside of the crossbar.

City extended its lead in the 43rd. Silva’s free kick was met by the unmarked Martin Demichelis at the far post. An initial header was saved well by Stekelenburg, but the ball was pushed straight to Kompany to fire in. “The goals that we concede, from set plays, it’s not good enough defending, especially the one just before halftime,” Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen said. “I was hoping the experience would kick in a bit from some of these players, to steady the ship.”

That appeared to happen at the start of the second half. Silva was tackled near the Fulham penalty area by Scott Parker, allowing Fulham to surge forward and score. Taarabt rampaged down the left flank past Demichelis who squared into the center for Richardson to sweep the ball in. City responded by taking off ineffective striker Dzeko, and bringing Navas on, leaving Negredo as the lone striker.

But Hart was beaten again, this time by his own player. Sascha Riether whipped a cross into the penalty, and Kompany managed to turn the ball into his own goal.

Kompany’s blushes were spared, though, by Navas. The winger raced onto Silva’s throughball, cut in from the right and slotted through Stekelenburg’s legs from a tight angle.

And Milner ensured a comfortable conclusion for City, meeting Negredo’s cross and netting his first league goal of the season. Fulham did not risk playing Dimitar Berbatov after the striker picked up a groin injury in training.

8

International

Monday, December 23, 2013

Sp rt

Reuters

MARRAKECH - Bayern Munich swatted aside Raja Casablanca 2-0 in a one-sided Club World Cup final on Saturday that did little to boost the credibility of a tournament which struggled to an anti-climax. Morocco came to a standstill, an army of Raja fans travelled 250km to the game and King Mohamed was among the 37,000 crowd only for party-pooping Bayern to wrap it up under half an hour.

Defender Dante and midfielder Thiago Alcantara scored the goals on a chilly evening as Bayern added to the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup titles they won last season and continued European dominance of the tournament. European teams have won six of the last seven titles, with Brazilian side Corinthians interrupting the sequence last year, and Saturday’s stroll may reinforce the view that it is little more than a pleasant excursion for them before the winter break.

Bayern scored five goals without conceding any in their two games as they added to the two Intercontinental Cup titles they won in 1976 and 2001. They emulated Manchester United, in 1999, and Inter Milan, in 2010, by winning a league, cup, Champions League and world club quadruple in the same year.

Raja, who changed coaches one week before the start of the tournament, had qualified as champions of host nation Morocco rather than of Africa and had already stunned the CONCACAF representatives Monterrey and South America’s Atletico Mineiro. But a powerful Bayern team, unbeaten in the Bundesliga since October last year, proved a bridge too far for a side who are a modest ninth in their own league.

NERVOUS HOSTS

“They were a little bit nervous because of the crowd, and the presence of his majesty the King,” Raja coach Faouzi Benzarti told reporters. “We were not very aggressive, we were a bit soft.” Benzarti said he was already preparing his players for the less glamorous world of the Moroccan Botola Pro league.

“It will be difficult but we have to return to reality,” he said. “We will do everything we can for them to be prepared. This competition will be here again next year, so we have to win the title to qualify again.” His opposite number Pep Guardiola was critical of his Bayern team for not creating more chances after they had gone ahead.

“We started well and played a very good half hour but after that we forgot to attack,” he said. “It’s not easy to play against a team when you’re 2-0 up and you don’t know them very well. “We have to play until the last minute, that’s what our profession demands. We passed the ball well but without much intention of creating chances.”

Guardiola, who won the same tournament as coach of Barcelona in 2009 and 2011, said the credit lay with predecessor Jupp Heynckes who led Bayern to the treble last season. “This belongs much more

Ronaldinho does little Associated Press Writer

MARRAKECH, Morocco — Free kicks aside, Ronaldinho did little to stake his claim for a spot in Brazil’s World Cup squad in what may have been his last appearance on the international stage. The 33year-old Ronaldinho scored from a superb free kick for the second time at the tournament of continental champions to help rally Atletico Mineiro to a 3-2 win over Guangzhou Evergrande for third place.

But his frustration nearly cost the Brazilian side as he was red-carded for an ugly two-legged stamp on an opponent, moments before Luan scored the winner on the stroke of stoppage time.

Ronaldinho, like his team, looked listless and played with little intensity as the Copa Libertadores champions exited disappointedly to become only the second South American champion to fail to reach the final.

Moroccan club Raja Casablanca upset Atletico 3-1 in the semifinals but ultimately came up short against Bayern Munich in Saturday’s final, losing 2-0.

The frustration seemed to boil over in the 88th minute as Ronaldinho poorly reacted to substitute Zhao Xuri’s own stamp on him, and he lashed out for the second time in the match after also swiping a Guangzhou defender with his elbows. Bayern coach Pep Guar-

to stake World Cup spot diola, who cast Ronaldinho out of Barcelona when taking charge in 2008, had hoped for his club to play the former Barcelona star.

“I saw him in Barcelona like a spectator.

But he lost and Raja Casablanca deserved to play this title,” Guardiola said. “I would have liked to

MILAN — Napoli missed a chance to move provisionally level with second-placed Roma as it was held to 1-1 at Cagliari in Serie A on Saturday. Earlier, Udinese picked up a valuable 2-1 win at fellow struggler Livorno in the final round of Italian league fixtures before the winter break. Napoli remains third but could find itself 10 points behind leader Juventus if the two-time reigning

Atletico Mineiro’s Ronaldinho, celebrates his goal during the third place soccer match between Guangzhou Evergrande and Atletico Mineiro at the Club World Cup soccer tournament in Marrakech, Morocco, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013.

Man City recovers to win 4-2 at Fulham in EPL Associated Press Writer

LONDON — Manchester City substitutes Jesus Navas and James Milner recovered a 4-2 victory at Fulham on Saturday after the visitors threw away a two-goal lead in a rain-lashed English Premier League encounter. Yaya Toure put City in front with his fourth goal from a free kick this season

and captain Vincent Kompany fired in City’s second just before halftime.

But five minutes after the break City conceded possession near the Fulham penalty area, and Kieran Richardson completed a rapid counterattack to begin the hosts’ fightback. In wild, windy conditions on the banks of the River Thames, Fulham was gifted an

equalizer in the 69th. Kompany inexplicably sliced the ball past his own goalkeeper Joe Hart, who was recalled after being dropped in league games since October.

But Navas restored City’s lead in the 78th when he slotted through goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg’s legs. And City ripped through the Fulham defense again five minutes later as

REUTERS/Youssef Boudlal

Germany’s Bayern Munich Philipp Lahm (bottom C) holds the trophy as he celebrates with his teammates after winning their 2013 FIFA Club World Cup final soccer match against Morocco’s Raja Casablanca at Marrakech stadium December 21, 2013. to Jupp and his team than to us,” he said.

FALSE NINE

Guardiola started without a recognised striker as winger Xherdan Shaqiri replaced Mario Mandzukic.

Raja, the second team from outside Europe or South America to reach the final, were only briefly in the contest. Mouhssine Iajour fired wide from a half chance in the fifth minute and from that moment the

hosts were chasing the game.

Two minutes later, Jerome Boateng headed on a corner to Dante who was left all alone in the penalty area and scored emphatically with a shot on the turn.

Raja goalkeeper Khalid Askri was tested by Thomas Mueller and David Alaba before Thiago Alcantara scored from the edge of the area after Alaba pulled the ball back.

Bayern were in almost complete control with 73 percent of possession although goalkeeper Manuel

Neuer offered Raja a chance with a poor clearance in the 38th minute and Chemseddine Chtibi’s effort flew just wide of the goal. The second half was a continuation of the pattern in the first period, with Bayern again enjoying nearly all the possession and Shaqiri hit the bar.

Raja occasionally looked dangerous. Iajour forced Neuer into his first genuine save with a close-range header in the 57th and he also had to block efforts by Vivien Madibe and Badr Kachani.

Napoli held to 1-1 at Cagliari in Serie A Associated Press Writer

9

Monday, December 23, 2013

AP Photo/Christophe Ena

Party-poopers Bayern triumph in Club World Cup

International

champion beats Atalanta on Sunday. Roma plays Catania and would move five points ahead of Napoli with a win.

AC Milan plays city rival Inter in a highly anticipated derby. “We had more chances than they did, but it wasn’t enough,” Napoli coach Rafa Benitez said. “A draw here is not a bad result, but it is for us because we’re chasing the top of the table, even though it was very difficult here.

“Roma and Juve are doing great and

that’s the difference. They play each other (on Jan. 5) so we can close the gap. But we have to think about ourselves. We’re doing better than last year, even after being in the Champions League as well, so what can we do? We need to be perfect.”

Napoli was brimming with confidence after beating Inter Milan 4-2, but it was Cagliari which started the brighter and the Sardinian side took the lead in the ninth minute. Davide Astori dispossessed Italy defender Christian

Maggio and cut back for the unmarked Nene to fire home. The Brazilian thought he scored moments earlier but he was booked for firing at goal after the referee stopped play.

Gonzalo Higuain leveled 10 minutes later with a powerful penalty after Goran Pandev was fouled by Astori. Jose Maria Callejon had a spectacular volley ruled out in the 73rd after the assistant referee spotted that the ball took the slightest of touches off Pandev, who was in an offside position.

AP Photo/Matt Dunham

Manchester City’s Yaya Toure controls the ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Fulham and Manchester City at Craven Cottage stadium in London, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013.

Milner scored to condemn Fulham to an eighth loss in nine league games.

While Fulham is next from bottom, City rose provisionally into second place, a point behind Liverpool. “It was a really difficult match because the pitch wasn’t good and it was very windy,” City manager Manuel Pellegrini said.

City can be overtaken by either Arsenal or Chelsea, who play on Monday, but the team’s status as the league’s most formidable attack was reinforced here against the most porous defense.

While City has a leadingleading 55 goals, Fulham has conceded a high of 32. But away from the Etihad Stadium, City has averaged only a point a game this season, and the intensity from the hosts was greater from the outset.

The City defense was easily beaten after 13 minutes, as Adel Taarabt forced Hart into making a fine diving save — one of several that convinced Pellegrini to retain the goalkeeper for Thursday’s match against Liverpool. “At the moment he deserved to play today and he also deserves to continue,” Pellegrini said. “When I put (Costel) Pantilimon in the starting XI I spoke with Joe and he understood that he was not in a good moment.

“Maybe seven games after, one month after, he’s working very hard, and I thought that he deserved another opportunity, and I think he did it well.” City’s opener came in the 23rd minute from a set-piece. After Silva was brought down on the edge of the area, Toure curled in a free kick

off the underside of the crossbar.

City extended its lead in the 43rd. Silva’s free kick was met by the unmarked Martin Demichelis at the far post. An initial header was saved well by Stekelenburg, but the ball was pushed straight to Kompany to fire in. “The goals that we concede, from set plays, it’s not good enough defending, especially the one just before halftime,” Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen said. “I was hoping the experience would kick in a bit from some of these players, to steady the ship.”

That appeared to happen at the start of the second half. Silva was tackled near the Fulham penalty area by Scott Parker, allowing Fulham to surge forward and score. Taarabt rampaged down the left flank past Demichelis who squared into the center for Richardson to sweep the ball in. City responded by taking off ineffective striker Dzeko, and bringing Navas on, leaving Negredo as the lone striker.

But Hart was beaten again, this time by his own player. Sascha Riether whipped a cross into the penalty, and Kompany managed to turn the ball into his own goal.

Kompany’s blushes were spared, though, by Navas. The winger raced onto Silva’s throughball, cut in from the right and slotted through Stekelenburg’s legs from a tight angle.

And Milner ensured a comfortable conclusion for City, meeting Negredo’s cross and netting his first league goal of the season. Fulham did not risk playing Dimitar Berbatov after the striker picked up a groin injury in training.

10

Monday, December 23, 2013

Destination

International

Kuning Waterfall IBP

BANGLI - It is situated at Kuning Hamlet in the south of Bangli, near Taman Bali Raja tourist object. This location can be reached by passing through a pathway along 500 meters surrounded by a verdant clove plantation on the right and left side. Here, visitors will perceive a cool and fresh air. The Kuning Waterfall itself is situated at an altitude of 25 meters from the surface of the water of Melangit River flowing southwards. Surrounding nature offers a very beautiful views and unspoiled atmosphere becoming the backdrop of waterfall. Tropical forest nearby still inhabited by thousands of

grey monkeys makes this ecotourism object more challenging.

From Denpasar, direct your vehicle to Bangli either by passing through Sukawati/ Gianyar road section or via Jalan Bypass Ida Bagus Mantra. When arriving at Taman Bali Village, approximately 3 km before the town of Bangli, you will see a T-junction. Take the right turn and follow the road until arriving at a junction near drinking water factory. Then, from the T-junction, turn right until the end of the road near the house of residents. From here, the journey should be resumed on foot along some 300 meters to reach the Kuning Waterfall.

Sports

International

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Wizards erase 18-point deficit, top Celtics 106-99 Associated Press Writer

BOSTON — Trevor Ariza started and finished a fourth-quarter run that carried the Washington Wizards to a 106-99 comeback win over the Boston Celtics in the NBA on Saturday. Trailing 92-84, Ariza began the 14-1 rally with a jumper from the right corner. John Wall had five of his 20 points in the surge, which was interrupted only by a free throw by Jared Sullinger that gave Boston a 93-91 lead with 3:39 remaining.

Nene tied the game with a short baseline jumper and Wall gave the Wizards their first lead, 95-93, with a 20-footer with 2:5 to go. Marcin Gortat then blocked Sullinger’s shot and Ariza hit a 3-pointer with 2:25 remaining to put Washington ahead 98-93. Ariza scored 27 points as Washington won a third straight game.

The Celtics entered the game in first place in the East’s Atlantic Division. At San Antonio, Russell Westbrook had 31 points and Oklahoma City used a strong second

AP Photo/Michael Dwyer IBP/File Photo

Monday, December 23, 2013

Washington Wizards’ Trevor Ariza (1) shoots against Boston Celtics’ Brandon Bass (30) in the third quarter of an NBA basketball game in Boston, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013. The Wizards won 106-99.

quarter to beat San Antonio for its ninth straight victory. Reggie Jackson had 21 points, Kevin Durant added 17 and Serge Ibaka had 14 points and 14 rebounds for Oklahoma City.

Tony Parker scored 23 points, and Marco Belinelli and Tim Duncan had 17 points apiece for San Antonio, which took only its second home loss. Also, the Memphis Grizzlies ended a five-game losing streak by beating the woeful New York Knicks 95-87.

The Knicks tried to change their luck in home day games, where they had lost by 41 points to the Celtics and 31 to San Antonio in noon starts, by staying in a hotel the night before. They were much more competitive, but far from good enough until it was too late. Dwight Howard had 35 points and 19 rebounds, leading the short-handed Houston

Rockets to a 114-97 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

In one of his best games since joining the Rockets in the offseason, Howard dominated Andre Drummond, Detroit’s promising 20-year-old big man, and helped Houston control the game despite the absence of injured guard James Harden. Carlos Boozer scored 19 points and the short-handed Chicago Bulls ended a four-game losing streak with a 100-84 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

D.J. Augustin scored 18. Tony Snell came on strong in the second half to finish with 17 points, and Chicago prevailed after matching its longest slide in four years under coach Tom Thibodeau.

In Phoenix, Eric Bledsoe scored 25 points and Phoenix matched its season high with 15 3-pointers — in 30 tries — to beat Dallas 123-108 in the Suns’ highest-scoring game of the season.

Gerald Green made 4 of 8 3-pointers en route to 22 points and Channing Frye made 4 of 6 3s and scored 18 in the Suns’ seventh win in their last eight games. Bledsoe made 3 of 4 from beyond the arc. P.J. Tucker was 2 of 3 from long-range and scored 16.

Vettel: F1’s big teams will cope best with rule changes

Sebastian Vettel does not expect the major regulation changes in 2014 to shake up the competitive order dramatically. While some argue that the new rules, which include the introduction of the 1.6-litre V6 turbocharged engines and aerodynamic changes, will allow smaller teams to steal a march on the big guns the four-time world champion does not expect this to happen.

Vettel believes the big squads, such as Red Bull, will be best equipped to adapt to the changes even though he sees 2014 as unpredictable. “It’s very difficult to express expectations, especially with the new engine,” said Vettel. “Nobody really knows what is going to happen but I think it will help the big teams at the front again, so the usual teams.

“It’s not clear in which order and it might be that the gaps are much bigger than they are now.

“It’s tricky because we don’t know how the races are going to unfold and trying to manage only 100kg of fuel on Sunday could be tricky, so we will see.” Vettel’s new team-mate Daniel Ricciardo also expects the established order not to be upset.

He suspects that even if Red Bull struggles early on, it will not take time to turn the situation around. “If Red Bull next year are not on the pace through testing and maybe the first few races, I have faith in the guys that they would find a solution pretty quickly,” he said.

“I expect, at least after the first four or five races, for the top teams still to be the top teams.

“Whether the midfield is going to spread out or get closer, I don’t know.

REUTERS/Nelson Almeida/Pool

Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany is attended to by his crew during a pit stop during the Brazilian F1 Grand Prix at the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo November 24, 2013.

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Monday, December 23, 2013

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International

Fragile Greek coalition’s majority shrinks Reuters

AP Photo/Cubadebate, Ismael Francisco

Cuba’s President Raul Castro delivers his speech at the closing of the second day of a twiceannual legislative sessions, at the National Assembly in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013.

Castro issued a stern warning to entrepreneurs pushing the boundaries of Cuba’s economic reform, saying “those pressuring us to move faster are moving us toward failure.”

Castro tells US to drop the demands on political front Agence France Presse

Havana - President Raul Castro warned Saturday his country could remain estranged from the United States for decades if Washington does not drop political demands.

“If we really want to make progress in bilateral relations, we have to learn to respect each other’s differences and get used to living peacefully with them.

Otherwise, no. We are ready for another 55 years like this,” Castro said at the legislature’s closing session.

Castro, 82, recently made world headlines for simply sharing a handshake with US President Barack Obama at the

funeral of South Africa’s iconic anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela. The United States and Cuba do not have full bilateral relations.

Wa s h i n g t o n h a s i m p o s e d sanctions on Havana -- the only Communist state in the Americas -- since 1962. To fully normalize relations with Cuba, US law technically requires a change in Cuba’s regime.

“We do not ask the United

States to change its political and social system, nor do we agree to negotiate over ours,” Castro said bluntly. Cuba is always ready to talk as long as its independence and self-determination are not undermined, Castro said.

The United States runs an Air Force base in Cuba’s Guantanamo province against Havana’s will, but which it refuses to leave.

It is home to the controversial US war-on-terror prison camp.

ATHENS - The Greek coalition government’s majority in parliament shrank to just three seats on Saturday after a lawmaker rebelled over a controversial new law to extend property taxes to farmland. Prime Minister Antonis Samaras’s majority of 26 seats after last year’s election has dwindled to the point where it raises the risk of political instability that could hamper recovery and Greece’s ability to meet targets for its international bailout.

Samaras expelled lawmaker Byron Polydoras from the conservatives’ parliamentary group after he refused to back the new tax law demanded by Greece’s lenders. “Lenders’ greed and poor judgment is leading us straight towards humanitarian crisis,” Polydoras said.

His expulsion reduces the parliamentary group of Samaras’s conservative-Socialist coalition government to 153 in the 300-seat parliament. The new legislation, passed on Saturday, replaces a deeply unpopular property levy collected through electricity bills with a broader tax on real estate, including land holdings.

Polydoras had argued that the new tax amounted to confiscation.

Greece has suffered six years of recession and record unemployment of about 27 percent as it has enacted austerity policies under the terms of its 240 billion-euro bailout from the European Union and International Monetary Fund.

Technocrat Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras said this would be the last austerity legislation to be put before lawmakers as the Greek economy begins to recover.

“I am absolutely convinced that parliament will have less onerous issues to deal with in 2014,” he said. The Greek government and lenders expect the economy to grow by 0.6 percent next year, after a 25 percent drop over the past six years.

Benefiting from growing frustration with austerity policies, the main opposition, anti-bailout Syriza party has a 0.4-2.5 point lead over Samaras’s conservative New Democracy party, two newspaper opinion polls showed on Saturday.

DEFIANCE

The government projects the new property tax will bring in about 2.65 billion euros ($3.62 billion) annually, less than the 2.9 billion euros it collected under the previous regime. To offset the shortfall, it will cut its investment program by 200 million euros next year.

The new legislation also reduces the property transfer tax to 3 percent from a previous 8 to 10 percent, to help boost transactions in a moribund market. Apartment prices have plunged by 32 percent since their peak in 2008.

Property accounts for a large chunk of household wealth as Greece has one of the highest home ownership rates in western Europe - 80 percent versus a European Union average of 70 percent - according to European Mortgage Federation data.

Inspectors from the European Union, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund troika agreed to the new tax, even though they had raised concerns on whether Greece can collect it effectively.

International

Monday, December 23, 2013

INDONESIA State revenues reach Rp1,224 trillion Antara

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Finance has recorded the state revenues up to the end of November amounted to Rp1,224 trillion or 81.5 percent of the target set in the revised 2013 State Budget at Rp1,502 trillion.

The directorate general of state treasury said in a written statement recently that Rp936 trillion of the Rp1,224 trillion was contributed by the tax sector or 81.5 percent of the tax revenue target set in the state budget at Rp1,148.4 trillion.

A total of Rp285.5 trillion of the Rp1,224 trillion came from non-tax revenues, or 81.8 percent of the targeted Rp349.2 trillion.

In the meantime, the realization of state expenditures up to the end of November reached Rp1,386.8 trillion, or 80.3 percent of the target set at Rp1,726.2 trillion in the revised 2013 State Budget.

The realization of state expenditures consisted of central government spending worth Rp910 trillion or 76 percent of the target set at Rp1,196.8 trillion and of regional

fund transfer valued at Rp476.8 trillion or 90.1 percent of the target set in the revised 2013 state budget at Rp529.4 trillion.

Thus, the budget deficit up to the end of November 2013 has been reduced to Rp162.8 trillion or 72.6 percent of the target set in the revised 2013 State Budget at Rp224.2 trillion, or about 1.7 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).

Police warn people of terror threats during Christmas celebrations Antara

MEDAN - North Sumatra Regional Police Chief Isp. Gen. Syarief Gunawan has warned the people of terrorist attacks during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

In a roll-call of security forces to be involved in the ‘Operasi Lilin (Candle Light Operations) here over the weekend, Gunawan said that terrorist attack threats still existed today.

He said that there were indications that the threats existed not only in North Sumatra but also in Java and Sulawesi.

The regional police chief added that police had taken preventive measures and followed up indications of threats

by arresting terrorist suspects.

Gunawan said that the terror threats in North Sumatra still existed because a number of terrorist prisoners who had escaped jail had not yet been re-arrested.

Since the Tanjung Gusta jail rioting and the escape of a number of terrorist inmates, the police had continued to hunt them, among others, Fadli Sadama.

“Yesterday, for example, Sadama was arrested but not here. He was nabbed abroad,” the North Sumatra police chief said.

He said that this indicated that terrorist threats still remained.

“Hopefully, we can suppress

Thousands...

From page 1 The Indonesian Police will conduct the Candle Light Operation 2013 prior to Christmas and New Year celebrations in Indonesia, by deploying more than 86 thousand security personnel to ensure public safety and order.

Sutarman revealed that at least 944 staff from the National Police Headquarters and more than 86 thousand personnel from the regional and resort police commands from across the country will be deployed to ensure security and public order, and are prepared for any eventuality during the celebrations.

Sutaraman noted that police officers would be stationed at certain locations, such as houses of prayer, shopping centers, recreation areas, gas stations and other sites. (nik)

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AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana

Indonesian police officers carry their riot gears as they take part in a show of force ahead of Christmas celebration in Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, Dec. 20, 2013. Since the Bali bombings in 2002, the world’s largest Muslim country has been battling terrorists who recently operate in small groups and have targeted security forces and local “infidels” instead of Westerners.

it,” he added.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said recently that there were elements that had planned to disturb security during the year end celebrations.

“I have received a report from the National Police Chief about the plans of certain elements to disturb security and order at certain places,” the President said.

Therefore, the President asked security officials to ensure security during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

“I want all religious celebrations, whether it is for Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists or followers of Confucius, to be peaceful and without any security disturbances,” the President stated at the Halim Perdanakusma military airbase, before departing for Tokyo recently.

The President also called on security officials to be on their guard against certain parties, who would probably take advantage of the momentum of Christmas and the New Year, to disturb the security situation.

“It is a political year and we have felt an escalating political climate in our country. Therefore, I urge all political elite and politicians to exercise self restraint,” he noted.

To anticipate unwanted happenings, the head of state encouraged security and law enforcement officials to work extra hard to ensure security.

Chris John retires after defeat Agence France-Presse

JAKARTA - Indonesian boxing star Chris John said Friday he was retiring two weeks after being dethroned as the world featherweight champion in his first ever loss in an astonishing career.

Known as “The Dragon”, John won the World Boxing Association featherweight champion crown in 2003 and successfully defended it 18 times.

But the 34-year-old finally lost the title to South African boxer Simpiwe Vetyeka in a December 6 bout in Perth, Western Australia, throwing in the towel after six rounds.

During more than 15 years in the ring, John -- who learnt to box using tatty gloves in a rural village -- fought 52 bouts and racked up 48 wins, three draws and just one loss.

“I was disappointed with my last performance but this is the right moment for me to retire,” he told AFP, adding that he was “no longer young”.John, who began boxing professionally in 1997, said he was discussing his retirement plans with his management.

“I take great pleasure in sports so I think there’s nothing wrong if I continue to work in the world of sports,” he said.He works with a Perth-based boxing promoter called Dragon Fire, which organises events in Australia, Indonesia and Singapore.He would not go into details about his retirement plans Friday but in an interview with AFP in April, John said he hoped to train future Indonesian champions after his own professional career came to an end.

The boxer, who has Chinese origins and was raised as a Catholic in the mainly Muslim Southeast Asian country of 250 million, said he wanted to scout and train young talent for Dragon Fire.

In his comments Friday, John also said he wanted to spend more time with his wife and two daughters, aged five and eight.

John’s success in carving out one of boxing’s great modern careers is particularly remarkable given Indonesia is not regarded as a great centre for the sport.There are few well-known Indonesians at the top level of boxing, and John was just the country’s third world champion.

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International

Monday, December 23, 2013

BUSINESS

LONDON - Britain is cementing its economic growth recovery, official data revealed on Friday, as the government’s deficit-reduction programme won support from the Standard and Poor’s ratings agency.

But analysts voiced doubts surrounding the duration of the recovery as separate figures revealed a widening of the country’s public deficit, adding to market concerns over Europe-wide growth.

The Office for National Statistics said British gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.8 percent in the third quarter, confirming previous estimates, while the data came at the end of a week in which Britain announced a larger-than-expected

drop to unemployment.

Also on Friday, the ONS said the government’s public sector net borrowing requirement, excluding taxpayers’ money used to rescue banks, rose to £16.5 billion ($27 billion, 19.7 billion euros) in November compared with £15.6 billion a year earlier.

Ahead of the data, Standard and Poor’s confirmed its top ‘AAA’ credit rating for Britain, noting the government’s commitment to re-

Bali News

TORONTO — BlackBerry reported a massive $4.4 billion loss in the third quarter and a 56 percent drop in revenue in its first quarterly report under new chairman and chief executive John Chen.

Despite the results, Chen said on a conference call with analysts that BlackBerry “has a really good shot” of turning a profit in 2016 and management will try its best to achieve the goal. Chen later laughed when an analyst wished him the “best of luck.”

The former Sybase CEO is credited with turning around Sybase, a data company that was sold to SAP in 2010. Chen said reviving BlackBerry will be his most “complicated” challenge but noted, however, that the company has $3.2 billion in cash, which will “definitely allow us to engineer our turnaround.”

BlackBerry also announced Friday that it’s entering into a fiveyear partnership with Foxconn, the Taiwanese company that assembles products in vast factories in China. Foxconn, known for its manufacturing contract work on Apple’s iPhones and iPads, will jointly design and manufacture most BlackBerry devices and

manage inventory of the devices in an agreement that will offload much of BlackBerry’s manufacturing costs.

“I’m hoping we never have to have a conversation going forward about inventory write downs,” Chen said.

He said Foxconn’s BlackBerry phones will be released in March or April and will be built in Indonesia and Mexico.

BlackBerry reported revenue of $1.2 billion, down from $2.7 billion in the same quarter last year.

Chen has said the company “is very much alive” but is putting more emphasis on Blackberry’s software business than its hardware business.

“I’ll be happy to have a breakeven or a low margin device business and then have that help us to monetize software,” said Chen, who he is dropping the interim label from his title, said the market has spoken. BlackBerry said it sold just 1.9 million smartphones in the quarter compared to 3.7 million in the previous quarter.

Most of those were old BlackBerry 7 devices. This year’s launch of BlackBerry 10, its revamped operating system, and fancier devices — the touchscreen Z10 and Q10 for keyboard loyalists — was supposed to rejuvenate the brand

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ducing its budget deficit even if the deep austerity measures continue to slash public sector jobs.

Offsetting these losses has been a pick-up in jobs created by the private sector.

“Markedly rising employment and a robust housing market will likely underpin consumer spending over the coming months,” Howard Archer, chief European & UK economist at consultants IHS Global Insight, said on Friday.

Archer also noted however that “if the recovery is to be sustained at a healthy pace, it really does need a marked, extended pick up in business investment and for exports to improve markedly”.

Gross domestic product grew by an upwardly-revised 1.9 percent in the third quarter or three months up to the end of September, compared with output a year earlier, the ONS added on Friday. The prior estimate had stood at 1.5 percent.

At 0.8 percent, the quarteronquarter rate marked the fastest pace for more than three years. The government welcomed the figures.

“Today’s data show that the recovery has been stronger than previously thought and that the government’s long term economic plan is working,” a Treasury spokesperson said.

“But risks remain and the job is not done, so the government will

go on taking the difficult decisions needed to deliver a responsible recovery for all.” S&P holds top rating Standard and Poor’s on Friday confirmed its top ‘AAA’ credit rating for Britain, noting the government’s commitment to reducing its budget deficit.

It comes as S&P downgraded the European Union’s long-term credit rating one notch, from “AAA” to “AA+”, citing weaker credit worthiness among the bloc. Britain is part of the EU but not the single currency eurozone bloc.

The ratings agency said it expected average annual British GDP growth of more than 2.0 percent during 2013-2016.

Newly-wed must not pass Sapuh Jagad Temple IBP

MENGWI - In Bali, all temples are considered haunted and sacred. Even, each temple has its own uniqueness. One of them is the Sapuh Jagad Temple located at Pemaron hamlet, Munggu village, Mengwi subdistrict, Badung. In this representative temple is venerated the Lord Pucak Mangu who will provide safety and health for his pious, enterprising and diligent prayers.

BlackBerry posts 3Q loss of $4.4 billion

Associated Press

Monday, December 23, 2013

Fear of being childless

British economy in cautious recovery heading into 2014 Agence France-Presse

International

and lure customers. But the muchdelayed phones failed to turn the company around and have led to a billion dollar loss last quarter and a $1.6 billion loss in the third quarter.

“It was ugly,” said Colin Gillis, an analyst at BGC Partners.

Gillis said the Foxconn agreement may help keep Blackberry alive by offering lower cost phones into the emerging markets like Indonesia with minimal inventory risk to the company. It also allows Blackberry to focus on designing and producing a small batch of devices for high end business users where security is paramount, and where the company still has pockets of loyalty, he said.

B l a c k B e r r y ’s n e t l o s s amounted to $8.37 per share in the latest quarter. Its adjusted loss from continuing operations, which excludes restructuring and other items, was $354 million, or 67 cents per share.

The BlackBerry smartphone, pioneered in 1999, had been the dominant mobile device for on-the-go business people and

other consumers before Apple introduced the iPhone in 2007.

Apple’s device showed that phones could handle much more than email and calls. In the years since, BlackBerry Ltd. has been hammered by competition from the iPhone as well as Android-based rivals.

Chen is putting more emphasis on BlackBerry’s mobile

device management business, a collection of software that allows IT departments to manage different devices connected to their corporate networks. He is also emphasizing BlackBerry’s popular BlackBerry Messenger application that is now also available on Apple and Android devices.

This April 23, 2013 file photo shows a BlackBerry Q10 smartphone in Toronto. BlackBerry on Friday, Dec. 20, 2013 reported a massive $4.4 billion loss in the third quarter and 56 percent drop in revenue.

AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Graeme Roy, File

IBP/File Photo

Indeed, the location seems haunted because it is perched at the corner of the village, over the river and surrounded by large trees. There also grows a large and old twin sterculia tree spreading the aura believed to be haunted, so the temple environment becomes sacred. “Every passerby on the street in front of the temple always puts offering to beg safety on the road and at workplace,” said Dewa Suarta, one of the residents of local village.

The temple venerated by residents of Pemaron hamlet is famous for its sacredness, so there is some abstinence to be followed. For example, a new bride may not cross the street in front of the temple and the dead person may not, either. “It has become a tradition for villagers of Munggu and Kaba - Kaba as a neighboring village belonging to Tabanan County,” he explained.

Does this tradition also apply to people from other villages? Dewa Suarta did not dare to make sure. To be frankly, he said, villagers of Munggu always looked for alternative way in order to secure the wedding ceremony.

Although the home of the bride was close, sometimes they should cross a rice field or lanes to get to the bride’s or bridegroom’s home.

Likewise, the residents of Kaba - Kaba village located adjacent to Munggu village also believed it. As having no choice, the bride should pass through Buduk village, which was very far away. “Many of our residents, especially those having a wedding ceremony, have to find out alternative pathway through Buduk village so as not to pass in front of the temple,” said I Ketut Sukadana confirming.

Why can it happen? Both Dewa Suarta and Sukadana said that if such abstinence was violated the new bride would not survive. For instance, they might pass away without causes, fell sick and never cured or had no offspring. “Yesterday, I got information that such condition afflicted my friends who had no children. After being consulted to a medium, he was told to have violated such unwritten rules,” he said.

It is said the temple was formerly a simple shrine made of bamboo drifting in the river at local village.

Then, a resident who worked as a fisherman picked it up and stuck it at the corner of the village. By local community, it was then built into a bigger and permanent shrine. After a long time, the shrine was made bigger as found today. (kmb)

Ganesha Statue, a Remover of Evil Power

If you are slightly attentive, today many people display the statue of Lord Ganesha, whether at private home, office, businesses or others. Why? The elephant-headed god is usually placed in the front yard, right at aling-aling or divider of courtyard and entrance gate space. At Taman Punggul, Abiansemal - Badung, for instance, virtually every home has a Ganesha statue. Aside from functioning as decorative work, it is also functioned as shrine.

Prof. Dr. I Made Titib, the Rector of the Hindu Dharma Institute (IHDN) of Denpasar, said that Ganesha statue was believed by Hindu community in Bali as a remover of any obstacles (evil intent). It was placed in front of the house as an entry guard. “Ganesha as the son of Lord Shiva serves as ganeswara believed to remove all the obstacles,” he said.

As the gods of wisdom and intelligence, Ganesha statue was placed in schools. Its vehicle was a mouse symbolizing a great wisdom and could always suppress the cunning of mouse. “Broken fang of Ganesha symbolizes if he has been able to eliminate the internal enemy, so that he can also defeat the external enemy,” he explained.

Prof. Titib added that Semaradahana palm-leaf manuscript told about the birth of Ganesha originating from the powerful ogre that disrupted heaven.

Lord Shiva then meditated, so that it was born a god (elephant-headed human). Ganesha baby then fought against the ogre. He was willing to break the

fangs to beat the powerful ogre. “In other words, when we are able to overcome our internal enemies we are surely able to beat the external enemies, too,” he said.

Balinese people also commonly place a Ganesha statue in haunted places. To place the statue did not require special offerings, but depended on the people’s capability. There was no requirement to place a Ganesha statue, but Hindu community believed in its strength. To make it more secure, around the statue was also planted with broadleaf lady palm and holy basil that also functioned to remove evil spirits.

The power of the Lord Ganesha was also evidenced by rishi gana ritual where it was equipped with the installation of Ganesha pennant so that the environment was free from evil spirits. “Many people also directly make the statue, so they feel more confident,” he added.

Meanwhile, Wayan Balik, a sculptor of Sura Patung in Batubulan said that a Ganesha statue could be made from any materials provided that they were sturdy. Some sculptors used stone, clay, concrete, wood, jewelry or gold.

In keeping with the increasingly rampant placement of the decorative sculpture, Balik suggested to pay attention that the statue should be placed honorably. So, it would not be placed haphazardly because it functioned as decoration.

IBP/File Photo

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Bali News

Monday, December 23, 2013

International

Australian tourist found dead hanging in his bungalow Bali Post

AMLAPURA - An Australian tourist named Nixon Craig Mixel, 35, was found to have died due to hanging in the back garden of room No.03 at Puri Oka Beach Bungalows, Candidasa, Karangasem, Saturday (Dec 21). As preliminary allegation, Chief of Karangasem Selective Police, Ida Bagus Mertayasa, told at the scene that the victim died due to hanging himself.

From the observation, the victim’s body was found in a crosslegged sitting position. Other than the bougainvillea plant behind his room was very low, the leather belt used to hang his neck was also long. Body of the victim was found hanging where his neck was snared in the bougainvillea plant with animal skin belt. Police perform-

ing the crime scene investigation was surprised why the victim with tall posture could die of hanging in kneeing position.

Police chief said that his party was still deepening the case whether the victim died because he purely hanged himself or for other reasons.

After the scene examination, the victim’s body was evacuated and

then put into a body bag and sent to the morgue installation of Sanglah Hospital for autopsy. It was intended to determine the cause of victim’s death. From the initial examination at the scene, it was found there were no scars of violence. Victim’s body was only wearing white panties. The beige shorts alleged to have been put on previously was placed on the branch of the three where he was hanging.

The death of Nixon was first known by two local room boys, Nengah Suarjana and Sarinata about 3 o’clock in the afternoon last Saturday. At that time, the room boys were curious because the victim had not gone out of the

room since the morning and had no breakfast. Usually, Suarjana said the victim had breakfast regularly.

Due to their curiosity as he did not open the door, Suarjana called the victim whether the room needed cleaning. He had been repeatedly called but there was no reply. When having been looked, the victim was hanged in the position of sitting in kneeing position. The witnesses then reported the case to hotel manager and the report was then forwarded to police.

A number of local hotel employees did not think if the victim’s fate was so tragic. The victim was known to be humorist.

A female hotel employee said the

victim also had no complaints of pain or never told if the victim had a problem.

The property of victim found in his room was a large suitcase containing clothes. Meanwhile, another small bag containing many different kinds of medicines, a bottle of whiskey, cellular phone and cash worth IDR 424,000 and banknote worth USD 150 dollars of 50 denomination as well as a number of Australian dollar coins. It was also found some documents and visa. After the Australian tourist’s body was found hanging in a narrow garden behind the bungalow, many residents of Candidasa was in commotion and came to the scene. (013)

International

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Monday, December 23, 2013

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Storms kill 2 in southern US, thousands lose power Associated Press Writer

MONROE, La. — A storm system swept across the central and southern U.S. on Saturday, bringing tornadoes and wind gusts that ripped roofs from barns and hurled trees into power lines, officials said. At least two people were killed.

Trade Agency inspects supermarket Cliff avalanches, Expired food and damaged packaging found a house damaged

A man died after his mobile home overturned in northern Mississippi, said Coahoma County Coroner Scotty Meredith. Another man was killed when his car hit a tree that had fallen across a county road in southeastern Mississippi. A woman who was in the car was critically injured, Jasper County Coroner Randy Graham said.

Wind caused the roof of a fitness center in a strip mall to collapse in Senatobia, 40 miles south of Memphis, Tenn. No injuries were reported. “I think it buckled the back part of it,” Tate County Emergency Management director Kim Brownlee said. “There’s water pouring in the back of that place.” At the storm’s height, more than 22,000 people lost power in northern Mississippi, though that number was beginning to fall late Saturday night.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of residents lost electricity after heavy rain and strong gusts of up to 60 mph whipped northern Louisiana. Some areas had as much as three inches of rain, said National Weather Service meteorologist Bill Adams.

High winds ripped the front facade off the

Bali Post

IBP/File

The officers of Buleleng regency inspected the supermarket in the area.

SINGARAJA - Ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebration, a joint team of the Buleleng Cooperative, Trade and Industry Agency and police authority conducted an inspection to minimarkets and supermarkets in Singaraja, Friday (Dec 20). As a result, the team encountered a number of expired foods as well as some damaged and rusty canned packaging.

Led by the Head of Buleleng Cooperative, Trade and Industry Agency, Ni Made Arnika, the inspection was made to a number of supermarkets such as the Tirta Dewata, ABD Food Mart and Hardys Supermarket.

In the inspection, the team examined the food and beverages, especially those that were sold in plastic and can containers. From the observations, it was known that some canned foods were already damaged and rusty. Likewise, it was also found some expired foods.

The Agency then asked the sellers to withdraw their stuff and not to sell them.

The Head of the Cooperative, Trade and Industry Agency, Ni Made Arnika, said the check was deliberately held to anticipate the fraudulent actions made by the management by selling unworthy food for consumption, especially before the Christmas and New Year celebration. “It is a check ahead of Christmas and New Year. We expect the management of modern stores and supermarkets and other stores not to sell goods that are not fit for consumption,” she said.

According to Arnika, for the time being her party asked the management not to sell goods that were unfit for consumption. If the request was not obeyed, the supermarket management would be imposed with a decisive sanction in accordance with the provisions. “We ask to withdraw the foods and they may no longer be sold. If they persist on selling them, our party will impose a strict sanction,” she said. (kmb15)

Bali Post

TABANAN - Rain continued to bring in disaster in Tabanan. After lightning, it was followed by avalanche. A 25-meter-high cliff at Multi Ria Asri Housing, Sanggulan, Banjaranyar village, Kediri, avalanched on Friday night (Dec 20). One of the houses was damaged and foundation of another house was eroded by the avalanche. No casualties were reported in the incident.

Information at the location told if the avalanche was estimated to happen at 9:00 p.m. following a heavy rain since the afternoon. Allegedly the land was labile, so the cliff along 40 meters suddenly avalanched. A house to be occupied was badly damaged. Its rear part collapsed and was washed away by the avalanche. The wall was also broken and foundation of the house having been completed was also eroded. Fortunately, during the incident, the workers stayed away from the project location. So, no one was afflicted by the avalanche.

Even though there were no casualties, the avalanche triggered new problems because the avalanche materials stockpiled the stream flowing to Subak Demung, Kediri. As a result, the water flow to the paddy field totally gridlocked. On Saturday, a number of workers were trying to get rid of the avalanche materials.

Their target was restoring the buried streams. “We will attempt to normalize the watersheds immediately,” said Made Adnyana, the project owner, Saturday (Dec 21).

The man from Bajera village, Selemadeg, claimed to suffer losses up to IDR 500 million. He said the avalanched cliff was indeed a backfill. However, it had been tamped two years ago.

Allegedly, due to the weather, the land became unstable and triggered the avalanche. Explained, the house eroded by the avalanche just needed finishing and then could be immediately occupied. Meanwhile, the next foundation was still under construction. As a result of this incident, the project activities had to be stopped.

Chief of Kediri Police, Ronny Riantoko Epang, confirmed the incident. Results of witness’ testimony, he said, indicated if the avalanche occurred when it rained heavily. Allegedly, the land was unstable after continuous rain. “But, there was no loss of life,” he explained. The damage, he said, happened to the type-36 house. Among the row of houses at the location, only one unit was damaged and washed away by the avalanche. (kmn30)

13

REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

A woman stands with an umbrella during snowfall at Central Park in New York, December 17, 2013. Several inches of snow was forecasted to fall across the northeast U.S. on Tuesday as winter storm warnings were put in place, said the National Weather Service, according to local reports.

Books-a-Million bookstore in the northern town of Monroe, 100 miles east of Shreveport. The area in front of the store was full of storm debris.

To the northwest in Union Parish, Sheriff Dusty Gates said damage was widespread across the parish of 28,000 residents. Trees fell on houses, across roads and on power lines. No injuries were reported by late Saturday, although some areas were cut off and not accessible due to bad weather.

“There are still several areas we have not been able to access to check on,” he said.

National Weather Service meteorologist Bill Parker said a possible tornado hit the town of Downsville mid-afternoon on Saturday.

The Weather Service has yet to confirm it was a twister.

Downsville Mayor Reggie Skains said a number of barns and chicken houses were damaged on the edge of his village of 250 people, including a barn on his farm. “We had about a $500,000 barn over there and it blew about half of it away,” Skains said by phone.

Downsville resident Albert Mayo said he was napping when the storm came through. “I thought the roof was going to come off, there was so much pressure,” Mayo said.

More than 40,000 customers lost power in northern parts of the state. Claiborne Electric Cooperative saw more than half of its 23,000 customers lose power when a transmission line was blown down, disrupting power to three substations.

Mafia toxic waste dumping poisons Italy farmlands

Associated Press Writer

CAIVANO, Italy — On Ciro Fusco’s farm in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, police swooped down one recent day and planted a warning sign in his broccoli fields, prohibiting anyone from harvesting or even setting foot on the plot.

Dozens of other fields in the area were sequestered in the same way.

Decades of toxic waste dumping by the Camorra crime syndicate that dominates the Naples area poisoned wells, authorities have found in recent months, tainting the water that irrigates crops with high levels of lead, arsenic and the industrial solvent tetrachloride.

The warning came too late: Fusco had already sold some of his broccoli at nearby markets. The farmlands around Naples, authorities say, are contaminated from the Mafia’s multibillion-dollar racket in disposing toxic waste, mainly from industries in the wealthy north that ask no questions about where the garbage goes as long as it’s taken off their hands — for a fraction of the cost of legal disposal. The poisoning is triggering widespread

fear and outrage in the Naples area, and tens of thousands of people marched through the city’s chaotic streets last month demanding to know whether they have been eating tainted vegetables for years.

In an interview with The Associated Press, the head of the Naples environmental police force rattled off a list of substances in higher than permissible levels contaminating 13 irrigation wells on farmlands: arsenic, cadmium, tin, beryllium and other metals; tetrachloride and tolulene among other chemicals used as industrial solvents.

Gen. Sergio Costa did not provide specific levels as tests were ongoing, but described the amounts as reaching “dangerous” levels. On one farm in Caivano, Costa said, four times the permissible level of lead was found in the irrigation well’s water. Cabbages irrigated by that water were found to be contaminated with lead, although tomatoes irrigated with the same well showed no harmful lead levels, said Costa — illustrating the complexity of testing crops for toxicity. The wells are not used for drinking water.

Analyses of the vegetables are still being conducted, and Fusco was waiting to learn if his family’s farm’s broccoli was tainted. Costa said the crops, irrigated by wells later found to be contaminated, were sold only in markets in the Naples area.

Officials estimate that waste seepage from one of the more notorious sites, a hill-like dump in the nearby farm town of Giugliano, a short drive away, will keep poisoning the water for half a century.

A top Camorra boss, Francesco Bidognetti, was convicted last month of poisoning the water table in the town of Gugliano with toxic waste and received a 20-year sentence. It was by far the stiffest punishment yet for waste dumping and a strong sign that the state is cracking down on the lucrative racket. Much of the waste the Camorra has trafficked has come from factories, processing plants and hospitals, mainly trucked down from in Italy’s industrial north to the mobsters’ power base near Naples and Caserta.

Some of the waste was buried under a soccer field in Casal di Principe, the stronghold of the

Casalesi crime clan that dominates the illicit business, along with a few other families. Naples-based antiMafia Prosecutor Giovanni Conzo

said in an interview that waste was also buried under a water-skiing pool in the town of Castel Volturno, near the sea.

AP Photo/Salvatore Laporta

In this Nov. 18, 2013 photo, rubbish is piled on the edge of cultivated land near Caivano, in the surroundings of Naples, southern Italy.

Dozens of fields in the area were sequestered by police, prohibiting any one from harvesting or even setting foot on the plot.

14

Monday, December 23, 2013

Lifestyle

Online shopping popular, but won’t save season Associated Press Writer

ATLANTA — More Americans are deciding to shop online this holiday season instead of heading to crowded stores.

But that alone won’t save what is turning out to be a ho-hum Christmas for department stores and clothing chains. Online sales have surged 9 percent so far this holiday season as WalMart, Macy’s and other retailers improved their web sites and prices to better compete with their online nemesis Amazon.com.

Meanwhile, shopping at physical stores is up just 2 percent.

Still, it is estimated that for every $9 shoppers spend in physical stores during the two-month season that ends on New Year’s Eve, they’ll only spend $1 online, according to research firm comScore.

Why? Retailers haven’t solved many of the challenges that initially turned many shoppers off from buying online. Some web sites still crash fairly frequently. Hot merchandise often sells out quickly online. And retailers haven’t convinced people to use their shopping apps on smartphones and tablets.

These lingering issues come from years of brick-and-mortar retailers mostly ignoring the possibilities of online shopping while online giants like Amazon got shoppers used to the convenience of it. Solving these

problems will help determine how retailers fare during the holiday season and beyond as shoppers increasingly buy online.

“The people that are going to win ... are the ones that are there for the customer however they want to shop,” said Joel Anderson, president and CEO of Walmart.com, WalMart’s online business.

The growing interest in online shopping is evident this season. Sales at physical stores were up 2 percent to $176.7 billion from Nov. 1 through last Sunday compared with the same period last year, according to ShopperTrak, a Chicago store data tracker.

Meanwhile, online spending from home and work desktop computers was up 9 percent to $37.8 billion, according to research firm comScore.

AP Photo/Julio Cortez

In this Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, photo, a sign for a shopping application is placed at the toys section in Kmart, in New York. Mobile shopping accounts for about 10 percent of online sales this season, but it made up half of all online traffic during Black Friday weekend, according to IBM Benchmark, which did not give dollar amounts.

Memorials mark Lockerbie attack anniversary Associated Press Writer

ARLINGTON, Va. — Families of some of the 270 people who died in an airliner bombing 25 years

ago gathered for memorial services Saturday in the United States and Britain, honoring victims of a terror attack that killed dozens of American college students and created instant

havoc in the Scottish town where wreckage of the plane rained down.

Bagpipes played and wreaths were laid in the Scottish town of Lockerbie and mourners gathered

AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

Relatives and friends of the victims of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 gather around the memorial cairn at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Va., Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013, during a memorial service to mark the 25th anniversary of the bombing of the Pan Am Flight 103 that crashed over Lockerbie, Scotland.

for a moment of silence at London’s Westminster Abbey, while U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder told victims’ relatives at Arlington National Cemetery that they should take comfort in their unity even if time cannot erase their loss.

“We keep calling for change, and fighting for justice, on behalf of those no longer with us. We rededicate ourselves — and our nation — to the qualities that defined the men and women that we lost,” Holder said.

The events marked the 25th anniversary of the explosion of Pan Am 103, a New York-bound flight that exploded over Lockerbie less than an hour after takeoff from London on Dec. 21, 1988. Many of the victims were American college students flying home for Christmas, including 35 Syracuse University students participating in study abroad programs.

The attack, caused by a bomb packed into a suitcase, killed 259 people aboard the plane, and 11 others on the ground also died.

The Arlington ceremony took place beside a cairn of 270 blocks of red Scottish sandstone, a memorial structure dedicated to the attack.

Wreaths flanked the structure, the

Bali News

International

International

ceremonial “Taps” was played and victims’ relatives recited the names of the people killed.

Former FBI director Robert Mueller, said he would never forget the haunting sight of the victims’ personal belongings — a white sneaker, Christmas presents, a Syracuse sweat shirt, photographs — at a warehouse in Lockerbie when he traveled there to investigate the case as a Justice Department prosecutor.

Whitney Davis lost her younger sister Shannon, a Syracuse student, and friends in the explosion. She said she learned of the attack after returning home from Syracuse, which she also attended. There was initial hope that survivors would be found and uncertainty that the explosion was an act of terror. But the grief was immediate.

“I was angry. I was in disbelief.

Mom was in shock, my brother was not saying much and I just was throwing snowballs at the sky and wondering how this could have happened,” said Davis, of Bend, Ore., who brought her 8-year-old daughter to the memorial in Virginia. “It’s important that she know who her aunt was and who her aunt could have been,” she said.

Monday, December 23, 2013

3

Facing ASEAN free market

Quality of local fruits needs improving Bali Post

DENPASAR - The agriculture is believed to be one of the hardest sectors in facing the trade integration and liberalization of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) 2015 as a result of the protection policies and subsidies. This sector is believed to be even more desperate if the government or related agency does not immediately find a solution in order the superior products owned by Bali in particular is able to compete against the outside products having flooded the market.

“Now, the fruit market has been flooded by imported products.

Similarly, Bali still relies on imported beef. In other words, when the ASEAN free market 2015 is in effect, the price of local products tends to be lower and is unable to compete against the foreign products. If this is not addressed from now, imported products will probably circulate more freely in Bali, and the agricultural sector will increasingly marginalized,” said Chairman of the Indonesian Farmers Union (HKTI) of Bali, Prof. Nyoman Suparta.

Further, he said the policy on the specialization of superior food products could be an effective way to optimize the domestic (local) agricultural resources. With this policy, the agricultural products would be able to compete against the Southeast Asian countries when the ASEAN free market would be in effect. “Specialization can be a way for our product to be more competitive later on in the free trade. Focus on the improvement of competitiveness for our local products also need to continue,” he explained.

In terms of readiness of the players in the agricultural sector, he admitted, the ASEAN free market was indeed very threatening the local products. Moreover, all this time the government had never seriously been preparing human resources to face the external pressure. “But, like it or dislike it, the ASEAN free trade will still come. To the end, the effort to improve the product quality, chiefly the superior products owned while preparing human resources, must continue to be done,” he said.

Similar opinion was also expressed by a lecturer from the Udayana University, Prof. Wayan Windia. According to him, without the ASEAN free trade 2015, the agricultural products alone had been losing the competitiveness against the flood of imported products in the market.

In order to win the market, the domestic horticultural products should have good quality and could compete in terms of price and distribution. Farmers needed to be provided with post-harvest handling that could boost the sell-

IBP/Eka Adhiyasa

Now, the fruit market has been flooded by imported products. Policy on the specialization of superior food products could be an effective way to optimize the domestic (local) agricultural resources. ing price at the seller level. Not only that, the agricultural products yielded and offered should have specific advantages as well.

According to him, the marketing of agricultural products both in fresh and processed form required specific strategies so as to be recognized and selected by the

communities. “The agricultural producers must find particular ways in order that their products have uniqueness compared to the other agricultural products,” he said.

He said that government should make a variety of strategic policies for the agricultural develop-

ment such as the cost of research in order to produce the agricultural products that could satisfy the consumers. Afterward, there should be a movement to love local products that had to be implemented by gubernatorial regulation, regent regulation and mayoral regulation. (kmb28)

Flushed by heavy rain

Roof of SDN 3 Songan finally collapses Bali Post

IBP/Swasrina

The roof SDN 3 Songan elementary school previously undergoing damage in the ceiling finally collapsed after flushed by heavy rain. Roof tiles and a number of supporting poles were tumbling and shifting from its original position.

BANGLI - The roof SDN 3 Songan elementary school previously undergoing damage in the ceiling finally collapsed after flushed by heavy rain. Roof tiles and a number of supporting poles were tumbling and shifting from its original position. Luckily, no casualties were reported in the incident because the students had been evacuated to SMPN 4 Kintamani junior high school since a few weeks ago.

Based on observation on Saturday (Dec 21), the roof of the two classroom buildings of the school located at Yeh Panes hamlet, Songan B village, Kintamani, Bangli, collapsed and fell down.

Roof of the classroom building were scattered, while supporting poles of the building also looked

to have broken.

According to Principal of the SDN 3 Songan, Ni Wayan Pertami, actually the roof of the classroom collapsed on Sunday (Dec 15). Due to persistent heavy rain, the roof condition estimated to be strong enough to hold the burden finally collapsed completely around 04:15 a.m.

The collapsed classrooms were the ones formerly occupied by grade 1 and grade 2. Luckily, when the incident occurred, the students were not at the scene as they had been evacuated to SMPN 4 Kintamani since some time ago.

“No casualties were reported in this incident as it happened at night. Besides, the students are also still enjoying semester holiday and accidentally the learning activities have been moved to

SMPN 4 Kintamani so the school only holds the administrative services,” said Pertami.

Meanwhile, on Saturday morning a number of employees of the Bangli Education Agency along with local residents looked to perform a mutual assistance to clean up the debris of collapsed school buildings. A number of remaining roofs were taken down.

It was carried out to anticipate any unfavorable thing.

Related to such conditions, the Secretary of Bangli Education Agency, Wayan Sudiarsa, when asked for his confirmation said that his party had delivered the matter to the regent. As for the follow-up, the government planned to make improvement that would be allocated in the main regional budget 2014. (ina)

2

International

Monday, December 23, 2013

Bali News

Activities

International

Monday, December 23, 2013

15

IBP/File Photo

Allegedly attacked by two youths

A student of Warmadewa University killed Bali Post

DENPASAR - Before totally resolving the assassination case of Bali Police officer, Suarsa, the officers of the South Denpasar Police received another similar report. At this time, the beating action occurred around Jalan Tukad Sanghyang, Panjer, South Denpasar, causing the tragic death to a student of Warmadewa University Denpasar named Putu Enggi Pradesa, 18, Saturday morning (Dec 21). The victim who lived on Jalan Tukad Melangit, Panjer, was alleged to have been killed as stabbed with sharp weapon by two youths.

The case was handled by the investigator team of the South Denpasar Police. It was not known for sure who killed the victim.

Reportedly, the police had got the characteristics and identity of the culprits. So far, police were still in pursuit of the culprits.

In addition, police had also examined a number of witnesses.

However, from the testimony of witnesses, there were no clues who were actually the perpetrators committing the murder. “The culprits have not been caught.

Allegedly, the victim was beaten and then stabbed with a sharp weapon,” said a source in the po-

lice station, Saturday (Dec 21).

The source said that such incident lasted approximately at 00:30 in the morning. The victim was previously going with three companions namely Made Nofriandi, Made Supranca and Nano to attend a bazaar event at Pedungan hamlet, Denpasar. After the bazaar, they were going home.

At that time, the victim from Punggul village, Abiansemal, Badung, was riding motorcycle with Nofriandi. Meanwhile, his companion Supranca was with Nano. “Initially, Nofriandi took the victim to his home at Panjer,” he said.

When arriving at the home of Nofriandi, the victim was hitchhiked

by Supranca. So, they continued the journey to go home in a group of three. Not long after, the victim hitchhiked by Supranca separated from Nano. Furthermore, the victim and Supranca passed through Jalan Tukad Sanghyang, Panjer, South Denpasar. Right in front of the Yoyo Racing, the motorcycle of the victim was stopped by two people using a motorcycle. It was unknown what the problem was, both the young man suddenly apologized and asked for peace.

However, the victim got involved in disputes with the two culprits. The dispute ended with physical fights. The culprits hit the

victim and Supranca. After that, Supranca managed to escape to Antap hamlet, about 200 meters from the scene. There, Supranca met his friends who were hanging out. A few minutes later, Supranca was looking for the victim known to be a first-semester student of the Law Department in the University Warmadewa.

When searched at the scene, the victim and the two culprits were not found there. “When searched around the scene, the victim was eventually found to be covered in blood on Jalan Tukad Pakerisan Gang XVI A, Panjer, South Denpasar,” he said.

Seeing his friend was helpless, Supranca then rushed the victim to Sanglah Hospital. Unfortunately, upon arriving at Sanglah Hospital, the victim was declared to have died.

The case was reported to South Denpasar Police station and conducted a crime scene examination. Moreover, it was also resumed with the exami-

nation of witnesses. The witnesses examined consisted of those around the scene, friends of the victim as well as his partners attending the bazaar. “Police also delved into the college. As a result, it was found the victim had no enemies. Even, the victim was jaunty and had many friends,” he described.

Related to the murder case, Chief of Criminal Detective Section of South Denpasar Police, I Gusti Ngurah Yudistira, when asked for his confirmation last Saturday justified the case. So far, his party had made the crime scene and witnesses examination. However, so far his party could not identify the culprits. “Some witnesses have been examined, either his friends taken to the bazaar, friends in the bazaar or his college friends. Witnesses claimed that the victim never had an enemy. However, we are still investigating this case. Hopefully, it can be quickly revealed,” he hoped. (kmb21/nik)

A spa and restaurant building burned out Bali Post

GIANYAR - Though it rain heavily in Gianyar on Friday night (Dec 20), the fire occurred to spa and restaurant building at Villa Byukukung on Jalan Sugriwa, Padangtegal, Ubud, Gianyar, was inevitable. The roof of building made of reeds burned out in the flames.

Meanwhile, firefighters of the Gianyar Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) brought in to the scene were also overwhelmed because the fire truck got difficulty to reach the remote location.

The fire was known at 10:15 p.m., where the flames enlightened the sky at that night. The fire devoured the building freely so the employees and surrounding residents did not dare to get near.

Some explosions of LPG tube were heard over and over again. Suteja, one of the employees at the spa and restaurant of Byukukung Villas, claimed to be notified about the fire by residents. At that time, the fire had looked so large and enveloped the entire building.

Since there were many hotspots,

the BPBD Gianyar should deploy the entire potential. Even, a new fire truck owned by the BPBD Gianyar was also involved to extinguish the fire. Having worked hard to put out the fire for two hours, the firefighters managed to extinguish the fire burning the building. The losses occurred due to the incident was estimated to reach hundreds of millions.

Responding to the fire incident, police also deployed its personnel to conduct a crime scene examination. Chief of Ubud Police, I Wayan Sumara, said that based on police investigation the fire was estimated to originate in the spark from water heater in the spa which then caused the LPG tube to explode. The building sizing 6 x 10 meters totally burned out.

Blaze of the fire burning out the spa and restaurant building was caused by the remote location from public road so it was difficult for fire truck to reach the location. In addition, the building roof made of reeds was also the cause so that no building could be saved. (kmb16)

New Year’s Eve celebration IBP

Each year, Archipelago International’s hotels host some of the most exciting New Year’s Eve celebrations in Bali. This year, a variety of celebrations will boast different themes that are set to gather the crowds to celebrate a New Year of happiness and fortune ahead.

- “A Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea”

The New Year’s Eve Celebration at Grand Aston Bali Beach Resort will begin with a cocktail reception at 07.30 pm, followed by a splendid gala buffet dinner accompanied by a live band and DJ as well as a cabaret and hula performance. Guests can

1 Jan Buda Kliwon Matal, Kajeng Kliwon And Tilem Sasih Kenam Pura Desa Sukawati Sukawati Pura Pasek Gelgel Gelgel Bebetin Pura Maspahit Sesetan Pura Padharman Arya Kanuruhan Besakih

15 Jan Purnama Sasih Kapitu Pura Dalem Tarukan Cemenggaon Sukawati Pura Penataran Dalem Ketut Pejeng Kaja Gianyar Pura Puseh Manakaji Peninjauan Bangli Pura Taman Limut Pengosekan Mas Ubud Pura Benua Besakih Pura Gunung Rena Sidemen Karangasem Pura Pasek Gelgel Abadi Karangasem Pura Pucak Gunung Mangun Kubu Karangasem

The firemen are trying to estinguish the fire in the spa and restaurant building at Villa Byukukung on Jalan Sugriwa, Padangtegal, Ubud, Gianyar

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

(0370) 639543, Facsimile: (0370) 628257. Publisher: PT Bali Post

- “The Night of Indiana Jones”

At Aston Denpasar Hotel & Convention

- “New Year’s Eve Vows”

favehotel Umalas will be celebrating in style with complimentary make-up for guests by professional makeup artist, Lt Pro, as well as a Sunset reception, a Gala Dinner, and DJ Putu Anjz (one of the most talented & raw female Djs in Bali) playing late into the night. There will also be a Fashion Show

Calendar Event for January 1 through February 26, 2014

11 Jan Tumpek Kandang Pura Desa Gianyar Pura Luhur Dalem Sagening Kediri Tabanan Pura Sang Hyang Tegal Tegalalang

IBP/File

catch the house of Sommelier anytime before noon on the 31st to enjoy Wine, Champagne & Cigar Festivities with a 10% discount on any advance orders.

Center, the New Year’s Eve Celebration will see a gala dinner entertained by a fire dance, a belly dance, a magician, juggling, a fortune teller and instant photo booths, as well as awards for best costumes, door prizes and many more.

16 Jan Kajeng Kliwon Uwudan

17 Jan Hari Bhatara Sri 21 Jan Anggara Kasih Prangbakat Pura Bukit Buluh Gunaksa Klungkung Pura Tirtha Sidamala Bebalang Bangli Pura Gunung Pangsong Lombok Pura Dalem Benawah Gianyar Pura Dalem Bitra Gianyar Pura Pura Hyang Haluh/Jenggala Besakih

Pura Tengkulak Tulikup Gianyar Pura Taman Sari Ubud Pura Penataran Badung

Pura Penataran Giri Purwo Tegal Delimo Banyuwangi Pura jala Sidhi amerta Juanda Surabaya

29 Jan Hari Siwaratri

19 Feb Buda Cemeng Kelawu Pura Penataran Agung Teluk Padang Karangasem Pura Melanting Camenggaon Sukawati Pura Penataran ped Nusa Penida Pura Gaduhan Jagat Singakerta Ubud Pura Masceti Sanding Tampak Siring Pura Penataran Batu Lepang Kamasan Kelungkung Pura Paibon Pasek Gelgel Kedonganan Kuta Pura Guwa Besakih Pura Basukian Besakih Pura Jati Ubud Pura Melanting Ubud Pura Dalem Peed Nusa Penida Pura Sad Kayangan Nusa Penida Pura Penataran Agung Gunung Karangasem

30 Jan Tilem Sasih Kepitu Pura Buana Kawan Besakih Pura Ulun Kulkul Besakih 31 Jan Kajeng Kliwon Enyitan 5 Feb Buda Kliwon Ugu Pura Dalem Tarukan Peninjauan Tembuku Bangli Pura Pemayun Banyuning Tengah Buleleng Pura Kayangan Tiga Seririt Buleleng Pura Agung Gunung Raung Taro Tegalalang 6 Feb Pura Dalem Puri Besakih 14 Feb Purnama Sasih Kawulu Pura Dalem Batur Bangli Pura Ida Ratu Pasek Besakih Pura Dalem Suci Sidemen Karangasem Pura Buana Kawan Besakih 15 Feb Tumpek Wayang & Kajeng Kliwon Uwudan Pura Majapahit Jembrana Pura Panti Gelgel Pengembungan Sesetan Pura Pedarman Dalem Sukawati Besakih Pura Pedarman Mengwi Besakih Pura Pedarman Kaba-kaba Besakih Pura Pedarman Dalem Bakas Besakih Pura Pedarman Dinasti Dalem Besakih

21 Feb Hari Bhatara Sri 25 Feb Anggara Kasih Dukut Pura Dalem Batuyang Batubulan Pura Pasek Gelgel Mengening Kediri Tabanan Pura Pasek Undagi Krambitan Tabanan Pura Pucak Taman bedulu Gianyar Pura Puser Jagat Nusa Penida Pura Dalem Purwa Kawan Bangli Pura Desa Ketewel Gianyar 26 Feb Pura Agung Pasek gelgel Sibang Kaja Abian Semal Pura Dalem Samprangan Gianyar

showcasing the 2014 bridal & beachwear trends, as well as Games & Door prizes.

“The various attractive offers and celebrations that we are holding for New Year’s Eve are part of our commitment to creativity and development that continues to give us satisfaction each year. We thank our guests and our friends for giving us the opportunity to serve during the year 2013, and we vow to always improve each year with top care and priority. We wish you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year!” says Norbert Vas, Vice President Sales & Marketing Archipelago International.

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

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

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

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

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

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Entertainment Tom Cruise, tabloids, settle defamation lawsuit Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES — The publisher of two tabloid magazines said it never intended to imply that Tom Cruise had cut all ties to his daughter after his divorce and announced Friday that it had reached a settlement with the actor over two stories it published. Bauer Publishing and Cruise’s lawyer wrote in a joint statement that the terms of the settlement were confidential.

“Bauer Publishing, as well as In Touch and Life

& Style magazines, never intended to communicate that Tom Cruise had cut off all ties and abandoned his daughter, Suri, and regret if anyone drew that inference from anything they published,” the statement read.

Cruise sued the company over stories published in its Life & Style and In Touch magazines in 2012 that claimed the actor hadn’t been in contact with his daughter for several weeks after his divorce from actress Katie Holmes. The actor sued Bauer in October 2012 seeking tens of millions of dollars in damages.

Beyonce talks surprise album, success at NYC event Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK — Beyonce had her doubts minutes before her new album’s surprise release, despite all the hard work she put in on the songs and videos.

“I was terrified. I was so scared. I already envisioned like the worst things that could happen,” Beyonce said Saturday at a screening for her new music videos. “I was really nervous because this was a huge risk.”

The singer’s fifth album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts this week after it was released without the public knowing. “Beyonce” sold 617,000 units in the U.S. in a week; it has sold more than 1 million albums worldwide. The album includes 14 songs and 17 videos, which fans were able to see during the screening at the School of Visual Arts in New York. Beyonce answered fans’

questions via Instagram, including one about her opening up personally on the new album.

“I’m very private and I’m very respectful, and I think it just took me no longer being someone’s child — once I became a mother, I felt like I could tear those fourth walls and I just felt like it was time,” she said. “I completely feel liberated.”

Photo by Robin Harper/Invision for Parkwood Entertainment/AP

Beyonce performs onstage on her Mrs. Carter World Tour, on Friday, Dec. 20, 2013, at the TD Garden in Boston, Mass.

The album features collaborations with her husband Jay Z, Justin Timberlake, Drake and her daughter, Blue Ivy. “Beyonce” is the follow-up to 2011’s “4,” the first album the singer released on her production company, Parkwood Entertainment, after parting ways professionally with her father-manager, Mathew Knowles. “I felt like I wanted follow in the footsteps of Madonna and be a powerhouse and have my own empire,” she said to cheers from the crowd. “And (to) show other women when you get to this point in your career, you don’t have to go sign with someone else and share your money and your success, you can do it yourself.”

The album’s unconventional release became one of the year’s top pop culture and social media moments. Beyonce, 32, said she became bored in the music industry after her last release, and the new album is a reflection of experimentation and growth.

“Honestly I was at a point where I felt like, you know, everything feels the same ... that’s how I felt and if I could not challenge that, then maybe it’s time for me to do something else or develop more artists, which is something I want to do,” she said. “I just hope that I continue to move forward and challenge myself, and I think now that I’ve become a mother, I just want my legacy to inspire people.” She added that the goal of the new album was not to produce No. 1 hits, but to showcase her evolution and create her own lane.

“I took all of my insecurities, all of my doubts, all of my fears and everything I’ve learned over the 17 years and I applied it into this project,” she said. “But more than the music — I’m proud of myself as a woman ... the biggest message is owning your imperfections and all the things that make you interesting, because I refuse to allow someone to put me in anyone’s box.”

WEATHER FORECAST 23 - 32 Dps

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

Monday, December 23, 2013 Castro tells US to drop the demands on political front

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Storms kill 2 in southern US, thousands lose power

Party-poopers Bayern triumph in Club World Cup

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Thousands policemen to ensure peaceful christmas in Bali Bali Post

X-ray scanner at the entrance to the Island of the Gods to anticipate DENPASAR - Bali Police Chief Inspector General Albertus the prohibited items brought by terJulius Benny Mokalu has said 12,260 police personnel would be rorists. “We continue to install the deployed to ensure Christmas and New Years remains peaceful X-ray scanner. Our detector equipment will also be installed at the on the resort island. entrance,” he said while adding that “We will involve all of our to be entry points for terrorists. utilization of both equippersonnel to ensure security for “Together with TNI personnel, ment assisted by Bali Christmas and New Year celebra- we have to be more proactive government would tions across Bali Island,” Albertus and innovative, said Alberbe alerted at Gilisaid, after attending the Candle tus, the former Bengkulu manuk Harbor in Light Operation 2013 show of force regional police chief.

Jembrana County on Saturday.

Further,Benny said and the Padangbai He noted that the police per- the terrorist cells reHarbor in Karansonnel would cooperate with the mained to exist and gasem County.

National Defense Forces (TNI) to Bali became the Utilization of maintain security at a number of target. On that acthe X-ray, said sensitive locations, including less count, it would Benny, was to traveled roads, which are believed be alerted an anticipate

IBP/Yudi Karnaedi

Monday, December 23, 2013

the entry of hazardous goods carried by terrorists. “We anticipate the security at the entrance. We may not be complacent both in the air and sea,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Commander of the IX/Udayana Regional Command said that all military personnel would participate in maintaining the security. Besides, it was also expected the participation of all components of society, particularly the NGOs and pecalang or customary security officer. “All military personnel are involved ranging from the noncommissioned officer (Babinsa) including myself. We

have to secure every border in Bali, NTB and NTT and everything has to be alert,” he affirmed.

Meanwhile, National Police Chief Gen Sutarman, speaking in Jakarta on Friday, reminded all police personnel across the country to keep vigilant to prevent any acts of terrorism during Christmas and the New Years celebrations.

“Security must be stepped up against possible acts of terrorism at houses of worship and public areas during Christmas and New Year,” warned Sutarman in Jakarta on Friday.

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Around 12,260 police personnel would be deployed to ensure Christmas and New Years remains peaceful on the resort island.