Edisi 24 Desember 2010 | International Bali Post

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Friday, December 24, 2010

Pro-Kremlin group luring youth with spy luster

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

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Economic growth of Bali in 2011 surpasses 6 percent PAGE 8

A woman is rescued from floodwaters after being stranded in a hotel after a powerful rainstorm December 22, 2010 in San Diego, California. Forty-seven guests were stranded at the Premiere Hotel after floodwaters rose and blocked them from getting to dry land.

Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images/AFP

Beatles ‘Abbey Road’ crossing given heritage status PAGE 12

Storm lashes California and leaves polluted water Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES – California residents who endured flooding, mudslides and evacuations during a weeklong onslaught of rain now have another problem: contaminated water and fouled beaches.

The rain washed trash, pesticides and bacteria into waterways, prompting health warnings. Four beaches were closed

WEATHER FORECAST TEMPERATURE OC

CITY DENPASAR

26 - 32

JAKARTA

24 - 31

BANDUNG

21 - 27

YOGYAKARTA

23 - 32

SURABAYA

24 - 33

SUNNY

BRIGHT/CLOUDY

in Northern California’s San Mateo County and another 12 miles of beach from Laguna Beach to San Clemente in South-

ern California’s Orange County were off-limits because of sewer overflows.

While the rain eased on Wednesday, the danger was not over for foothill residents living below wildfire-scarred hillsides.

“The ground is so saturated it could move at any time” and the threat will remain for several weeks, said Bob Spencer, spokes-

man for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works.

More than 200 homes were ordered evacuated for more than 24 hours in La Canada Flintridge and La Crescenta, suburbs of Los Angeles below steep hillsides that burned in 2009 and where mudslides inundated homes and backyards in February.

Continued on page 6

Parents still cling to hope after 2004 tsunami Associated Press Writer

LANGSA, Indonesia – Six years after a powerful tsunami swept more than 200,000 to their death, Titik Yuniarti still clings to hope at least one of her children is alive. Like other desperate mothers, she has placed ads begging for information in newspapers in western Indonesia and hung fliers

alongside others fluttering from lampposts.

Earlier this month, her search almost cost her her life. The 43year-old woman raised suspicions when she tried to meet a girl she thought might be her child. Villagers accused her of being a kidnapper and thrashed her and a friend almost to death.

Continued on page 6

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In this photo taken Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010, Titik Yuniarti, left, who is treated for her injuries after she was beaten by a mob accusing her of attempting to abduct a child while searching for her daughter missing in the 2005 Indian Ocean tsunami, lies on a hospital bed in Langsa, Aceh Province, Indonesia.

AP Photo/ Binsar Bakkara

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International

Friday, December 24, 2010

Bali News

First action if bitten by dog In 2010, dog cases in Bali reach 45,700

Although rabies has threatened Bali for two years, but there are people who still do not know about how to perform the first treatment if bitten by a dog. As a reminder, the Secretary of Rabies Treatment Team of Sanglah Hospital, Ken Wirasandhi, said that if bitten by a dog, the first step to do was to clean the wound by soap and running water at least for 15 minutes. Washing the wound was intended to reduce the entry of rabies virus into the body. “Therefore, please do not be taken to the health center immediately after the bite because it requires sufficient time for the virus to enter the body. So, before taken to the health center or clinic, immediately wash the wound by soap,” said Ken. After washing the wound, the patient was then taken to the health center nearby. There, the wound would be given an antiseptic or stitched if the wound was deep and wide. Administration of anti-rabies vaccine followed.

The vaccine itself functioned to form antibodies against the rabies virus entering the body. Administration of the vaccine consisted of three stages, namely on the day when the patient was bitten, day 7 and day 21. The antibodies formed after obtaining the vaccine could last up to one year.

The administration of anti-rabies vaccine was not useful if the symptoms of rabies had emerged as a phobia of water, light or sound, difficulty to swallow, seizures and even rages. If the characteristic appeared, it meant the virus had reached the brain. Administration of anti-rabies vaccine would be effective if rabies virus had not reached the brain. When had reached the brain, replication of the rabies virus could not be prevented even with anti-rabies virus though. (san)

113 die due to rabies Denpasar (Bali Post)—

Spreading since the end of 2008, rabies remains to become a disease feared by people of Bali today. Euphoria on the fear of rabies can be seen from the number of patients coming to ask for anti-rabies vaccine (VAR) that was not only caused by the bite by dogs but also by other rabies carrier animals such as monkeys, cats, and even rats although in Bali itself the rabies carrier animal was only dog.

Various measures have been carried out both by vaccination, dog elimination and provision of antirabies vaccine for people bitten by dogs. Such measures are apparently still unable to suppress the incidence of bite cases. It was proven by the cases in 2009 where they totally reached 25,000 dog bites. In 2010, this figure increased twofold. Ac-

cording to the Head of Bali Health Services, Nyoman Sutedja, based on the latest data, the cases of dog bites in 2010 reached 45,700. As for mortality since the rabies outbreak, it had been recorded that 113 people died.

Availability of the anti-rabies vaccine, added Sutedja, was always attempted by the government. Currently, the Bali Health Services remained to stock 60,000 vials of vaccine. If counted with the stock of all regencies/city in Bali, their total amount reached 70,000 vials. “So, the existing stock is expected to meet the needs of anti-rabies vaccine until April 2011 with a prediction that bite cases remain as that of today namely about 150 per day,” explained Sutedja.

With such adequate vaccine stock until next year, Sutedja expected there would be no more people in the

regency/city complaining about the unavailability of anti-rabies vaccine.

For that purpose, coordination of each regency /city regarding to the vaccine availability in the region should be continued to avoid the emptiness.

Then, can the rabies cases be resolved by providing the vaccine? Of course, it cannot. If the wild dogs remained to roam around and bite cases continued to happen, then the threat of rabies would haunt all the times.

Sutedja always emphasized that rabies could be overcome with the cooperation of all parties. Society would be very helpful if they cared for their dog properly and tied up or put in a cage. “Pet dogs should be treated, fed and given the vaccine regularly. Additionally, please do not let them roam around but put them in a cage or tied up,” said Sutedja. (san)

Rising Highly, Kuta Beach in traffic congestion Mangupura (Bali Post)—

Kuta Beach tourist resort remains to become an excellent destination for tourists spending their holiday in Bali. Ahead of Christmas and New Year holidays, the tourist visits, especially domestic tourists, paying a visit to the white sandy beach rose by fivefold. Even, the road headed for the area got traffic congestion from midday to the afternoon.

“Most visitors thronging the coastal region are domestic tourists from outside the Bali such as from Malang, Surabaya, Semarang up to Jakarta,” said Secretary of Badung Lifeguard, Ketut Ipel, in Kuta, Wednesday (Dec 22).

According to him, the tourists carried out various activities ranging from having a promenade along the beach, playing beach sand, swimming, to surfing. Likewise, they also tried a massage on the beach, impermanent tattoos or purchasing Balinese accessories.

“The number of domestic tourist currently averages 4,000 to 5,000 people per day. This figure is indeed unparalleled to the number of foreign tourists that normally overwhelms the coast,” he explained. Ipel estimated such a condition would continue to happen until the end of the New Year holiday season. To anticipate of the surge in visitors, the operator of the beach intensified the security patrols along the Kuta Beach.

Previously, Bali Government Tourism Office (Diparda) targeted that arrival of domestic tourist to the island until the end of 2010

would be more than 4 million.

The rate of domestic tourist arrivals to Bali continued to increase significantly. “Domestic tourists are not only targeting the budget hotels, but also begun to fully occupy the rooms of star hotels and villas,” said the Head of Bali Government Tourism Office, Ida Bagus Subhiksu.

It was explained that almost all or 92.0 percent of domestic tourists visiting Bali wanted to come again. This matter indicated that the island stayed to have tremendous appeal. “Opportunities and economic benefits of domestic market are not inferior to the foreign tourist market if managed more seriously,” he said.

The potential of domestic market, according to Subhiksu, was very large considering the total population of Indonesian was about 230 million. Around 53.34 percent of them performed leisure travelling. “Domestic movement is also growing rapidly due to smoothness of transportation and the change in vacation trends from becoming a need to a lifestyle. This is what encourages people to travel,” he said. (par)

IBP/Yudi Karnaedi

Kuta Beach is filled by domestic tourists who want to spend their New Year holiday in Bali.

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, Wirya, Yudi Winanto Denpasar: Dira Arsana, Giriana Saputra, Subagiadnya, Subrata, Suentra, Sumatika, Asmara Putra. Bangli: Pujawan, Buleleng: Adnyana, Gianyar: Agung Dharmada, Karangasem: Budana, Klungkung: Bali Putra Ariawan,Jakarta: Nikson, Hardianto, Ade Irawan,. NTB: Agus Talino, Syamsudin Karim, 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

Bali News

International

Friday, December 24, 2010

3

Police Will Raid Fireworks and Firecrackers Sellers Denpasar (Bali Post)

Fireworks and firecrackers sellers should get ready being raided by police as Christmas and New Year are approaching. The explosions up in the air kept coming and actually it is putting everyone around in danger.

IBP/doc

The mass Pendet Dance which is being held in Klungkung Regency.

Mass Pendet Dance

Remembering Mother’s Day and Preserving Culture Semarapura (Bali Post)-

Remembering 82nd Mother’s Day, the Women Organisation Community (GOW) held a mass pendet dance last Wednesday (22/12) involving 1271 dancers at Puputan Klungkung Field. This was also to celebrate Dharma Wanita Persatuan 11th and Family Welfare Education for women in villages (PKK) United Movement 38th birthday.

The thousands dancers were PKK members, officials wives and GOW members. It was coordinated by Madame Ringin Candra and Head of GOW Ni Luh Pancasari (wife of Regional Secretary KetutJanapria-red) with other wives and regional council$ they started dancing at 10 am local time after the flag ceremony for Mother’s Day. To get the performance amazing, these thousands of dancers have practiced since a month ago including rehearsals last Monday (20/12) and Tuesday (21/12) afternoon. The flag ceremony was attended by State Civil Workers, Army, Police and Klungkung Regent Wayan Candra who became the leader of the ceremony. The Reegent clarified that the female should get a chance to be involved as ceremony instructures to show gender equality and so it is seen during this ceremony, “Female and Male Equality in Reaching Nation’s Character, Reaching Healthy and Prestige Public Relationship.”

Candra hoped in this 82nd rememberence it can increase and refreshes public aspiration, “The women involvement to the country comes with the national movement year 1928, so women from the past and present can’t just be ignored.”

After the flag ceremony, Regent handovered GNOTA help to Primary and Junor High Schools, tali kasih to Kindegarten teenagers, giving additional food to kids at villages and also giving a trophy to the winner of karaoke xompetition between officials which is to Head of PKK Agency, Gusti Ngurah Badiwangsa also trophy to the winner of female football which is to the Bhayangkari.(kmb20)

Head of Public Relation for Bali Police, Great Commissioner Gde Sugianyar, stated the meeting report which was led by Head of Bali Police Inspector General Drs. Hadiatmoko last Wednesday (22/11) that the police will do a raid towards fireworks and firecrackers sellers.

Even though the Indonesian Police Headquarter allowed fireworks but they have to have 2 inch diameter.

Meanwhile, for firecrackers is definitely prohibited. For that those that are violating these will be confiscated and fined, “If the firework is 2 inch diameter then it is okay.” It was explained that there are 18 shops that has the permit to sell them. Those sellers on the roadsides were suspected to have bought it from those shops and so these sellers will be checked.

So what about the lighting of fireworks and firecrakers around Denpasar now? Sugianyar stated it’s not a problem as long as it is as regulated with the 2 inch diameter and also pick a safe place to light it.

“Don’t just turn it on. Look at its surroundings safety.”

The affect of these items are many. Besides the loud bangs and disturbing neighbors, it can also cause fatal effect such as if that firework/cracker flew to a person or someone’s house. If it’s very disturbing, Sugianyar stated do report to the nearest Police, “Please report it to us.” (kmb21)

IBP/doc

The police raid a Firecrackers Seller.

Coming Christmas And New Year

Directed 9000 Personnel, 273 2011, Sugar Crisis Hits Indonesia Churches Security Tighten Denpasar (Bali Post)-

Denpasar (Bali Post)-

The climate anomaly affects sugar productivity and causing a decrease for local sugar products. Bali Trading and Industry Agency predicted that Indonesia in particular Bali will have sugar crisis during 2011. “Approximately all areas in Indonesia depends on East Java sugars. Yet the sugar rolling season has had problems due to the climate so automatically next year there will be a decrease in sugar productivity which leads to shortage,” Head of the Agency, Gede Darmaja, in Denpasar last Wednesday (22/12)am According to him, East Java Goverbor has given out letters saying to stop sugar distribution to outside East Java as the productivity has gone down and so prices have gone up to IDR 11.000 per kg when usually IDR 7.000 to 8.000, “Bali needs 5.500 tonnes of sugar each month and yet now East Java can only cover 3.000 tonnes. So we will have 2.000 more from Makassar.”

Besides that, as it is end of year all food prices have gone up and causing inflation to reach 7 percent above the Bali economy growth reachin 6 percent, “The inflation was caused by the super rice price reaching 25 percent increase, followed by sugar and chilli.” Based on the Statistics Board, Denpasar residents consumed rice 60 percent and so when usually it’s IDR 7.000 per kg now becomes 9.000 per kg, “The high demand and increasing price of this super rice have caused the inflation.”Even so, Bali does not need market operation as this only needs to be done if a price increased 15 percent on medium rice, “The medium rice price increase is still under 5 percent. Even Bulog still guarantees rice stock for Bali in the coming 5 months.” (Par)

Bali Police and its officers are ready to tighten security for the coming Christmas and New Year celebrations, ready to anticipate anything possible happening. The Bali Police have direceted 2/3 of its personnel (around 9000) including Gegana Team and Densus 88 Anti Terror. Meanwhile the 273 churches in Bali will have tighter security depends on its intensity.

This was stated by Head of Public Relation for Bali Police, Great Commissioner Gde Sugianyar during a press conference at Bali Police Headquarters last Wednesday (22/12). It is said from the number of churches in Bali, 18 are big ones and will be tightly secured by Gegana Team.

Besides securing churches police

are securing like tourist destinations, malls, markets and other public spaces.

Meanwhile for its targets, of course it would be items, people and place so items brought to churches will be checked. This increasing security also involves the army, village officials and others, “For example, will be helped by pecalang (village security) of each villages.”

Not only that, security is also focused on the gates to Bali such as Ngurah Rai International Airport, Gilimanuk, Benoa and Padangbai Harbors also the traditional ones. Each person and vehichels coming and go of Bali will be tightly checked. Even this has been done before, now it will get tighter.

When asked about Bali terror-

ism threats, as far as Sugianyar knew there hasn’t been any. He hoped that the celebrations will go on well and discipline. He asked everyone to always be aware, “If there are a suspicious person then report it soon to the nearest police station. Also, however small a suspicious information you get from someone, just report it to us.”

Bali Traffic Police Director, Great Commissioner Drs. Syauqie Achmad, SH, M.Hum, MM, and his officials will hold a lilin operation 2010 with a number of personnels directed to secure the coming celebrations in traffic wise. To support so, a number of posts are built to anticipate traffic jams. Those directed are asked to arrange the traffif and to quicken management if there are accidents. (kmb21)

4

News

Friday, December 24, 2010

International

Japan’s Emperor Akihito celebrates 77th birthday AP

TOKYO – Emperor Akihito celebrated his 77th birthday Thursday and urged the people of Japan to pay heed to the needs of the elderly, as the number of older people in the country rapidly grows.

AFP/File

US President Barack Obama greets Chinese President Hu Jintao in April 2010.

Obama to welcome China’s Hu Jintao January 19 AFP

WASHINGTON – The United States said Wednesday that it would welcome Chinese President Hu Jintao for a state visit on January 19, as the two sides seek to ease economic spats and tensions on the Korean peninsula.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will offer the full pageantry of a state dinner for Hu at the White House, as the US leader reciprocates after his visit to Beijing and Shanghai last year. [ For complete coverage of politics and policy, go to Yahoo!

Politics ] The two leaders will also be expected to hold in-depth talks in the Oval Office, after meeting repeatedly at international summits around the world, and in a string of one-on-one talks, in Obama’s two years in power.

Hu’s appearance in Washington will come at a time of aggravated tensions between Washington and Beijing, despite efforts by both sides to find common ground on issues like North Korea and Iranian nuclear sanctions.

Both sides however have an incentive to pull off a smooth visit, as Obama sees America’s future increasingly tied to a dynamic Asia, and Hu looks to his legacy as he prepares to hand over to a successor as president in 2013.

The White House, in fixing the date of a previously announced visit, stuck to calibrated diplomatic language to sum up the relationship between superpower America and its emerging counterpart across the Pacific.

“President Hu’s visit will highlight the importance of expanding cooperation between the United States and China on bilateral, regional and global issues, as well as the friendship between the peoples of our two countries,” the White House said in a statement.

“The president looks forward to welcoming President Hu to Washington to continue building a partnership that advances our common

interests and addresses our shared concerns.”

It was not immediately clear whether Hu would spend more than the announced one day in the United States. Previous Chinese leaders like ex-presidents Jiang Zemin and Deng Xiaoping toured other US cities as well as Washington.

Economic ties between China and the United States have been severely strained in recent months by US allegations that Beijing is keeping the value of its currency, the yuan, artificially low to boost its exports — to the detriment of US firms.

Obama has repeatedly called on China to allow the yuan to find a fair market value, and officials said that most of his most recent oneon-one meeting with Hu, in Seoul last month, was devoted to currency issues.

Obama’s national security adviser Tom Donilon said in Japan, also in November, that he wanted the Chinese to show progress on the yuan before Hu and Obama sit down at the White House.

“By the time of President Hu Jintao’s visit in January, I think, would be a good time to look at what has been the quantum of progress... on this,” he said.

Earlier, the United States announced that Defense Secretary Robert Gates would visit Beijing early in the New Year, in a possible sign that diplomatic and military tensions may be easing between Washington and China.

The Pentagon said Gates will travel to China from January 9 to 12, one year after Beijing cut military relations with Washington in protest against a multi-billion-dollar US arms package for rival Taiwan.

Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell told reporters that Gates would work to build a military relationship with China “that is confident in tone, cooperative in nature and comprehensive in scope.”

The visit has been keenly sought by Obama’s administration, which considers the military to be the most hesitant about the United States among China’s major institutions.

Akihito greeted thousands of well-wishers waving Japanese flags from a balcony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Empress Michiko and other royal family members — including Akihito’s eldest son Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife Crown Princess Masako — appeared on the balcony.

Akihito has cut back on official duties because of health reasons. He did not make any foreign trips this year. The emperor underwent an operation for prostate cancer in 2003, and the Imperial Household Agency says he has been undergoing hormonal therapy to prevent its recurrence. At a palace news conference Monday, Akihito also said that he has hearing problems.

“With regard to aging, I have become somewhat hard of hearing so when I receive people, I ask ... them to try to talk to me in a louder voice,” the emperor said.

He said he hopes people will be more attentive to the elderly, including more attention paid to ensure buildings and towns are better equipped to serve their needs.

“In our society today, where the aging population continues to grow, it is my sincere hope that there will be further understanding of the needs of the elderly,” Akihito said.

Japan, which has long prided itself on its citizens’ long life spans, is one of the world’s most rapidly aging countries. The government said Japanese who are 65 and older hit a record 22.7 percent of the population in 2009.

AP

In this photo taken on Monday, Nov. 29, 2010 and released by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko stand together by Sokintei arbor during their stroll at Fukiage Garden in the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

North Korea response muted to South’s large drill Reuters

SEOUL – North Korea criticized major land and sea military exercises staged by the South on Thursday, but stopped short of threatening a retaliatory strike as tension remained high on the divided pen-

insula.

In a show of military might, South Korea held a major land drill in the Pocheon region, between Seoul and the heavily armed demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas. It also continued naval live-fire exercises 100 km (60 miles)

AP

South Korean sailors work on their ships next to South Korean Navy’s floating base near Yeonpyeong Island

south of the maritime border with North Korea.

In a rare visit to the front line, South Korean President Lee Myungbak visited a separate military unit near the border to inspect defensive readiness against Pyongyang.

The drill, involving a larger scale of firepower and personnel than usual for an exercise at the army training ground, is an indication that Lee wants to underscore renewed determination to stand tough with the North.

He has replaced his top defense officials with more hawkish military men, a response to criticism of a perceived weak response to hostile acts from the North, including a submarine attack in March and the shelling of an island last month.

“We’re keeping up the alert,” a Defense Ministry official said on the condition of anonymity.

The foreign ministry said the drills were a regular exercise but added that the North’s “provocations” should be prevented from occurring again.

Activities

International

Friday, December 24, 2010

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Kuta Station Hotel & Spa:

Strategic Location with Multifunctional Lifestyle Facilities IBP

KUTA – Kuta area develops and has an interest in the economic activities so it requires the provision of hotel accommodation capable of serving them carefully. The market is remarkably competitive and every hotel offers affordable rates and services that are virtually the same.

“The difference lies in our commitment of converting promise into reality with the presence of Kuta Station Hotel & Spa. The advantage of our hotel is the strategic location and no other hotels in Kuta offer the more complete lifestyle facilities, both for travelers and business professionals entailing a hotel with multifunctional facilities,” said Ariestra Prasetio, General Manager of the latest 3-star hotel under the Paradiso Group .

Concept of the Kuta Station Hotel & Spa had been specially designed to become a 3-star hotel serving a growing tourism business in the oasis of Kuta tourist resort, including for the circle of the government, private companies and the MICE both for domestic and foreign markets. Located right in the heart of Kuta and Bali’s busiest tourist destination, it is just 50 meters from the amazing white sandy Kuta Beach and very close to Kuta Square shopping center. Of course, it is within easy reach to all major attractions in the area of Kuta.

This comfortable hotel has 132 rooms consisting of Superior, Deluxe and Family room with standard amenities including a large swimming pool that stretches throughout the hotel grounds, kids pool, playground, meeting room, pool bar, Railway Bar & Restaurant, restaurant with the open air concept graced with nightly live music entertainment, Jalanidi Spa, Gym, Paradiso Bowling & Billiard and Dee Jay Club.

Ariestra, having a wealth of experience for more than 18 years in the hotel industry in the regions across Indonesia and various international hotel chains and companies, added that Paradiso Hotel Group entered the Indonesian market in 1996 and had become a leading hospitality management company in Bali with the rapid growth of business network.

Paradiso Hotel Group currently operates the Kuta Paradiso Hotel, Legian Paradiso Hotel, Seminyak Paradiso Hotel and its parent company also operates a shopping complex named Kuta Center and Kuta Square as well as several other properties. With the existing track of record, it is evident that the Paradiso Hotel Group has a definite future vision —to be recognized as the best hotel management company in Indonesia. And it is evidenced by the opening (Soft Opening) of Kuta Station Hotel & Spa on Friday (Nov 26). The event was attended by the hotel owner, Shellia Karjadi and President Director of Paradiso Hotel Group, Rudi Chandra.

Temple Ceremony Calendar Event for December 18th through December 25th 2010 18. “Kuningan” believed as the ascending day of the ancestral holy spirits back to Heaven after spending time with their descendants during Galungan.

Throughout Bali. “Makotekan” ceremony “village purification”, Munggu village, district of Mengwi, Badung regency.

“Perang Jempana” rituals when the temples adherents carrying temple-effigies strike one another as to indicate that the ceremony as a whole has been properly done, at Pura Panti Timbrah, Paksebali village, district of Banjarangkan, Klungkung regency.

Temple anniversary celebrations at: * Pura Taman Pule, Mas village, district of ubud, Gianyar regency. * Pura Ularan, Takmung village, district of Banjarangkan, Klungkung regency. * Pura Bukit Jati, Guliang Kawan village, Bangli regency. * Pura Dalem Tegal Jaya, Batubulan village, district of Sukawati, Gianyar regency. * Pura Dalem Guwang village, district of Sukawati, Gianyar regency. * Pura Jengengan Majapahit, Cemenggaon village, district of Sukawati, Gianyar regency. * Pura Sadha, Kapal village, district of Mengwi, Badung regency. * Pura Sakenan, Serangan Island, the municipality of Denpasar. * Pura Luhur Pakendungan, Tanah Lot Beach, district of Kediri, Tabanan regency. * Pura Dalem Sanding village, district of Tampaksiring, Gianyar regency.

19. “Pemendakan” Welcoming procession held started from Sakenan Temple to Denpasar, Serangan Island, south of Denpasar.

Temple anniversary celebrations at: * Pura Dalem Pauman Bhujangga, Penatih village, east of Denpasar. * Pura Alas Arum, Batur village, district of

Kintamani, Bangli regency. * Pura Batuaji, Ubud Tengah village, west of Denpasar. * Pura Dalem Buleleng, downtown of Singaraja. * Pura Dalem Jagaraga village, district of Sawan, Buleleng regency.

21.T emple anniversary celebrations at: * Pura Banua Besakih complex, district of Rendang, Karangasem regency. * Pura Dalem Semenggaon village, district of Sukawati, Gianyar regency. * Pura Desa Celuk village, district of Sukawati, Gianyar regency. * Pura Dewa Agung Klungkung, Ulah village, district of Sidemen, Karangasem regency. * Pura Gunung Rena, Sidemen village, Karangasem regency.

22.T emple anniversary celebrations at: * Pura Tanah Lot (well know as temple on the rock) Beraban village, district of Kediri, Tabanan regency. * Pura Bukcabe, Mas village, district of Ubud, Gianyar regency. * Pura Puseh Ganggang Canggi, Batuan village, district of Sukwati, Gianyar regency. * Pura Masceti Sanding village, district of Tampaksiring, Gianyar regency. * Pura Luhur Batur Pucangan, Buahan village, district of Penebel, Tabanan regency. * Pura Dalem Tarukan Cemenggaon village, district of Sukawati, Gianyar regency. * Pura Dalem Bangun Sakti, Kapal village district of Mengwi, Badung regency. * Pura Dang Kahyangan Penataran Agung Baturening, Mambal village, district of Abiansemal Badung regency.

25. Chritsmas

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

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

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

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

6

News

Friday, December 24, 2010

Australia apology to Indian doctor over terror charge Agence France Presse

SYDNEY – Australia has made a formal apology to Indian doctor Mohamed Haneef for his wrongful detention in 2007 over failed extremist attacks at airports in London and Glasgow.

The move follows the payment of undisclosed compensation to Haneef, who was detained and charged with giving support to a terrorist organisation after his mobile phone SIM card was wrongly linked to the attempted carbombings.

“The AFP (Australian Federal Police) acknowledges that it was mistaken and that Dr. Haneef was innocent of the offence of which he was suspected,” said a statement on the attorney-general’s website. “The (government) apologises and hopes that the compensation to be paid to Dr. Haneef will mark the end of an unfortunate chapter and allow Dr. Haneef to move forward with his life and career.”

Haneef was arrested under anti-terror laws as he waited to fly on a oneway ticket from Queensland to India, and was detained for 12 days before being charged. The case was seen as damaging for Australia’s image abroad.

“I’m very pleased and happy with the resolution of this matter,” Haneef told reporters this week, after the compensation was announced.

“My wrongful arrest and detention in 2007 was a very traumatic experience and today’s settlement is a chance to end that part of my life and move on with my family.”

Reuters

Anna Chapman, a former Russian spy

Pro-Kremlin group luring youth with spy luster Reuters

AFP/File

Former terrorist suspect Dr. Mohamed Haneef, with his wife and daughter

Storm...

From page 1 After days of relentless rain, long-awaited sunshine was finally in the forecast for Thursday, but officials said Californians may want to resist the urge to head to the ocean.

“It can be very nice the next day and everyone says ‘This is great!

This is a beach day,’” said Jonathan E. Fielding, director of the Los Angeles county public health department. “It could well be but we will be monitoring and testing water and we won’t recommend people go back there until we’re sure it’s safe.”

Experts normally recommend waiting 72 hours after a storm before getting in the water, though in this case some are saying five days might be wiser. The contamination in some areas could last for weeks because of the especially heavy rains. Mark Gold, president of Heal the Bay, a Santa Monica based group that monitors and grades beach water quality said more rain causes more pollution to get flushed into the region’s water system “Literally every beach gets an ‘F’ when we get a rain storm like this,” he said. “It’s big enough to pollute each an every beach in LA County. It’s a pretty extraordinary event when we have rain like this.”

Sixty people were rescued and more than 30 homes evacuated Wednesday when water surged through Dove Canyon, a gated Orange County community. In Highland, about 65 miles east of Los Angeles, two creeks overflowed, swamping as many as 20 homes in up to 3 feet of mud. Up to 40 homes and around 100 residents were evacuated.

In San Diego, the first floor of the Premier Inn in the city’s Mission Valley flooded, forcing guests to the second floor where lifeguards were sent to rescue them, police said. SeaWorld San Diego closed for the day as waters rose in the nearby San Diego River, but it was expected to reopen on Thursday. Amtrak said the Pacific Surfliner train service between San Diego and San Juan Capistrano was being suspended Thurday because of threats of midslides and high water.

MOSCOW – Russian celebrity spy Anna Chapman turned political activist on Wednesday to rally youth support for Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party as it prepares for parliamentary elections next year. The red-haired Russian agent has made a public name for herself, posing in slinky lingerie, showing up at a space launch and moving in high Kremlin circles since she was deported from the United States in a Cold War-style swap.

The 28-year-old Russian, welcomed back by ex-KGB spy Putin in July, entered the political arena on Wednesday when she assumed an advisory role with the Young Guard, the youth wing of the dominant United Russia Party.

Chapman, who had led a double life posing as an American and trying to infiltrate U.S. policymaking circles, delivered a rallying speech at a meeting of the group after joining its Public Council.

“Let’s start to change the country with ourselves,” said Chapman, on stage in a curvehugging red-and-black dress. “If each of us were gladdened by the new day, then we could do something new and useful,” she said.

“Be Happy!”

With his carefully cultivated

Parents...

From page 1 The Dec. 26, 2004, tsunami killed an estimated 230,000 people in 12 Indian Ocean nations, from Thailand to Sri Lanka. Hardest hit by far was Indonesia’s Aceh province, where 164,000 died. Of those, 37,000 were never found, their bodies presumed washed out to sea.

Racist rioting last weekend involving Russians as young as their teens demonstrated the growing power of militant activism. Chapman takes on her new role as United Russia gears up for

2011 parliamentary elections which the party hopes will preserve its huge parliamentary majority and set the stage for a commanding win for the Kremlin’s presidential candidate in 2012.

Opponents accuse Prime Minister Putin of suppressing rivals to United Russia and excluding them from the media. Putin and President Dmitry Medvedev have said they will decide who will run closer to the vote.

In her address, Chapman echoed Putin’s accusation in a televised talk with last week that opposition politicians are just out for power and money.

“We expend so much effort to make Russia a great power ... and so many people struggle for power and glory with money,” she said.

Today, a massive international aid effort has rebuilt tens of thousands of homes, schools and roads. But closure has been much more difficult for some. While most have given up the search for missing children, a number press on. Yuniarti, who lost her entire family in the disaster, set out earlier this month in search of her middle child, Salwa. The journey was inspired by a dream Yuniarti’s mother had, in which Salwa appeared and

said she had been taken in by a family in the town of Langsa in Aceh.

It took seven hours on a bumpy coastal road to get there. Clutching a picture of her curly haired child — who was 6 when she was ripped from her mother’s arms and sucked out to sea — Yuniarti and a friend went from school to school, talking to principals, teachers and students. They sat down with police and met with neighborhood leaders, anyone who would listen.

street-smart image, Putin may be popular with young Russians; but United Russia’s entrenched position lends it a stodgy air, costing it support from some young people who look to livelier alternatives. Nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky’s flamboyant oratory makes him popular with disgruntled youth, while the Communists profit from resentment over the growing gap between rich and poor and romantic images of the old Soviet Union.

RIOTING

International

Indonesia Today

Friday, December 24, 2010

7

Police to deploy 87,352 men to ensure Christmas Eve security Antara

JAKARTA - Some 87,352 police personnel across Indonesia are ready to maintain public order and security during Christmas Eve on Friday (Dec 24), the force’s national chief said here Thursday.

AFP PHOTO / ADEK BERRY

Indonesian football team supporters queue to buy tickets ahead of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 final football match between Indonesia and Malaysia in Jakarta on December 23, 2010. The second leg final match will be held in Jakarta on December 29.

President-Sultan meeting to smooth Yogya bill deliberations Antara

JAKARTA - The meeting of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X was to smoothen the discussion about the bill on Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY) at the House of Representatives (DPR).

Golkar Party deputy chairman Agung Laksono who is concurrently coordinating minister for people’s welfare before a cabinet plenary session at the presidential office here on Thursday said the outcome of the President

Yudhoyono-Sultan meeting would be a reference, idea, and input for the joint secretariat of coalition parties before being discussed at the DPR. “It is at least for a reference, an idea, and input before a formal decision is made through an official mechanism,” Agung Laksono said.

But Agung admitted that he had yet to know the outcome of the closed door meeting between President Yudhoyono and Yogyakarta Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X on Tuesday December 21, 2010 at the State Hall.

According to him, the meeting

was natural to make important lobbying for a contribution to reach an agreement or solution to a polemic surrounding DIY bill.

“It is to make important lobbying to reach an agreement or solution to the polemic and thus I think the meeting was natural in its manner,” Agung said.

He explained that the presence of Aburizal Bakrie as a mediator between the meeting the president and Sultan was part of his personal initiative, although it was inseparable from his position as the chairman of coalition parties joint secretariat.

Floods still posing threat in Indonesia Antara

JAKARTA - Heavy floods are still posing a serious threat in many parts of Indonesia this week, following inundations in some villages in Cilacap (Central Java) as well as Lombok Timur and Dompu (West Nusa Tenggara).

On Tuesday and Wednesday, three villages in Sidareja subdistrict, Cilacap regency, were inundated following torrential rains with a height of 30-50 centimeters.

Head of the Cilacap natural disaster mitigation agency, Agus Sudaryanto, said a number of houses in Tinggarjaya and Sudagaran were still submerged and 20 families were still sheltered at local military facilities.

“We have distributed food packages to the families displaced by the floods. Some local residents also take care of the refugees by providing them with food stocks,” he said.

A displaced resident of Sidareja village named Saidah, 45, said the flood-hit families demanded such humanitarian aids as blankets,

medication, and emergency kitchens.

Floods also submerged several hundred houses in two villages in Pringgebaya subdistrict, Lombok Timur district, and a number of villages in Dompu district, West Nusa Tenggara province, on Wednesday.

The flash floods hit the two districts following heavy rainfalls with strong winds.

Head of Pringgebaya subdistrict Irpan Widiatma said the floods inundated Pringgebaya and Pringgebaya Utara villages due to the overflowing of Kokok Desa River.

“The height of flood waters that submerge such hamlets as Semaya, Tingir, Dasan Segara, Ketapang, Dasar Kerpok, and Cemprongan is about one meter,” he said.

Due to the flood waters’ strong currents, three houses in Semaya hamlet were carried away and public facilities in Ketapang hamlet were also inundated, he said.

The floods also damaged 150 hectares of farmings. As a result, the villagers were expected to suffer material losses mounting to Rp670 million, he said.

In Dompu district, those living along and near Monta river bank in Woja subdistrict were also hit by floods.

“The floods are caused by the overflowing of Monta River. My house, which is 200 meters away from the river bank, is submerged,” said Purnawansyah, resident of Monta Bau neighborhood in Woja subdistrict.

Over the past year, Indonesia has been undergoing an extreme weather phenomenon, which partly characterizes with heavy rains and whirlwinds.

As the consequences of the torrential rains and whirlwinds, various vulnerable parts of the country have experienced flash floods and landslides.

Wasior town in Teluk Wondama, West Papua Province, for instance, was struck by flash floods on October 3 and 4. The Wasior flooding was the worst which had reportedly killed at least 150 people.

Wasior town was covered with mud, logs and rocks following the floods.

National Police Chief Gen Timur Pradopo made the statement in a written address read out

by Jakarta Governor Fauzi Bowo at a roll call at the National Monument of police and other security agencies’ personnel assigned to carry out “Operation Candle 2010” or the concerted effort ro keep Jakarta and other parts of the country safe and orderly during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

He said, under Operation Candle from Dec 24, 2910 to

January 1, 2011, a total of 32,232 churches across the country would be given special police protection to enable the faithful to celebrate their holy days in an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

The police had determined priority provinces to be secured during Operation Candle, namely Jakarta, Papua, Southeast Sulawesi, East Nusa Tenggara, North Sulawesi, North Sumatra, Central Sulawesi, Maluku, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java and Bali.

Each church in Cirebon to be guarded by 10 policemen Antara

CIREBON - Each church in the West Java town of Cirebon is to be guarded by ten policemen to secure Christmas Eve and Christmas celebrations, a police officer said.

Cirebon police chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Herukoco told newsmen here Thursday that 600 security apparatus would be deployed to secure the Christmas and New Year holidays in the city.

The security personnel consisted of policemen and servicemen. “Each chapel will be secured by ten policemen,” he said.

A day before Christians celebrate Christmas on Saturday, the West Java provincial police’s bomb squad personnel would sweep all churches here to make sure they were bomb-free, he said.

Herukoco said his men maintained their alertness on any security threat in Cirebon during the Christmas holiday.

“Despite the arrest of terror suspects, we remain alert on possible threats of those who remain fugitive,” he said.

The security measures would be prioritized for such big churches as the HKBP, Pengampon, Bunda Maria, Jesus Christ churches, he said.

To secure the New Year’s Eve celebration, the Cirebon police also called on local residents to get rid of fire crackers, he said.

“The Cirebon residents remain allowed holding firework shows,” he added.

Indonesia has been fighting terrorist cells in the country since 2000.

On December 24, 2000, a string of attacks on churches were carried out by terrorists on Christmas eve in Indonesia’s cities.

The attackers targeted a number of churches in the Indonesian cities of Batam, Pekanbaru, Jakarta, Sukabumi, Pangandaran, Bandung, Kudus, Mojokerto, and Mataram.

Two years after the Christmas Eve bombings, the terrorists attacked Bali Island in 2002, claiming 202 lives, including 88 Australian holiday makers.

The latest deadly incident happened on July 17, 2009 when two suicide bombers attacked the JW Marriott and the Ritz-Carlton hotels in South Jakarta.

8

Internationa

Friday, December 24, 2010

Bali Today Economic growth of Bali in 2011 surpasses 6 percent Bali Post

DENPASAR - Economic growth of Bali in the period of 2011 was estimated to surpass the target of 5.66 percent set in 2010.

Although the world’s economy next year was assumed sluggish, the Bank Indonesia (BI) was optimistic that the economic growth of Bali next year would grow by over 6 percent. Head of BI Denpasar, Jeffrey Kairupan, stated that Bali was not too much affected by the development of world’s economy. Bali’s economy would grow in the range of 6 percent to 6.5 percent.

“The tourism sector will remain a leading sector of the economy in the region. However, the infrastructural improvement should become a concern of the policy holders,” said Jeffrey in Denpasar, Wednesday (Dec 22).

According to him, the traffic congestion afflicted the South Bali region should immediately be resolved so as not to hinder the economic movement of the other regions. Moreover, the enthusiasm of investors to invest their funds in road constructions in Bali was quite high.

“I’ve got information from a number of foreign investors such as China had expressed a desire to invest in the sector,” he said.

Meanwhile, the economic sector in the upcoming year, said Jeffrey, would remain to grow. One thing needing improvement was synchronization between the entrepreneur’s point of view and the banking. So far, between the entrepreneurs and banks stayed to have doubts. If the matter could be resolved, so the move-

ment of the banking sector in the economic empowerment of Bali would be more optimal.

An economist, Made Kembar Sri Budhi, was also optimistic that Bali’s economy in 2011 would grow at over 6 percent. This optimism was based on a number of economic indicators. However, such a growth stayed to be dominated by consumer sector, not by investment.

“I had confidence that Bali’s economy in 2011 will grow at over 6 percent in harmony with the improvement of global economic condition denoting the tourism market of Bali,” he said.

Countries becoming the export destination of Bali had also shown a good improvement. Of course, the economic recovery would increase their spending power. “Increased export and increased number of tourist visits would certainly boost the economic growth of Bali. Moreover, eighty percent of the Bali’s economy is supported by the tourism sector,” he explained.

IBP/Eka Adhyasa

Buyers shopping at traditional market in Bali Island. Economic growth of Bali in the period of 2011 was estimated to surpass the target of 5.66 percent set in 2010.

Even though there was high economic improvement, the economic growth would only be enjoyed by a part of community members considering that most Balinese community worked in the agricultural sector.

Within the past few years, the sector was not experiencing any growth.

“Policy makers should be able to

Thirteen young Indonesians to compete in Moscow Antara

DENPASAR - Thirteen shortlisted students will represent Indonesia at the 2011 International Conference of Young Scientists (ICYS) due to be held in Moscow, Russia, on April 24-29, a government official said.

Among them were two Balinese students, Jessica Ikhwan (SMA CHIS, Denpasar) and Luh Laksmi Dharayanti Satria (SMAN 1 Singaraja), Head of Bali province’s education, youth and sports office, I Wayan Suasta, said here Wednesday.

Jessica and Luh Laksmi were successful in a very tight national selection process recently held in Bandung, West Java province, along with 11 other junior and high school students, he said.

“They will defend Indonesia’s honor at the ICYS along with eleven other students who are successfully shortlisted in the national test in Bandung,” he said.

The other students consisted of Arief Ridho Kusuma (SMAN 1 Samarinda), Sallie Naomi (SMP St. Laurensia, Tangerang), Michael Sunarto (SMP Chandra Kusuma, Medan), Christa Lorenzia Soesanto (SMA St. Laurensia, Tangerang) and Reza Abdurahman (SMA Taruna Nusantara, Magelang).

Then Ganang Albryansah (SMPN 1 Bontang), Dwiky Rendra Graha Subekti (SMA Theresiana 1 Semarang), Fialdy Josua Pattirajawane (SMP Chandra Kusuma Medan), Luthfi Mu’awan (SMAN 1 Purwareja), Luh Laksmi Dharayanti Satria (SMAN 1 Singaraja), Jessica Ikhwan (SMA

CHIS Denpasar), Jessica Lo (SMA Kristen Cita Hati Surabaya) and Christy Hong (SMA St. Laurensia Tangerang).

“At the conference, students from various countries will compete in four research fields, namely physics, math, computer and ecology sciences,” Suasta said.

Luh Laksmi Dharayanti herself would compete in ecology science by presenting her research outcome entitiled “The Utilization of Tea Warte (Camellia synensis) As Natural Marine Fish”.

Her colleague, Jessica Ikhwan, would also compete in the same research topic by presenting her report titled “The Making of Artificial Reef”.

“This is the first time for Bali to be able to send its students to this world’s young scientist conference,” he said.

implement any program launched and give emphasis on the three aspects namely tourism, agriculture and small industry becoming the pillars of the economy of Bali. By doing so, there will be no imbalance in the three sectors,” he said.

According to him, the agricultural sector had become the economic challenge of Bali in the up-

coming 2011. If the government declared agriculture as the primary sector, then it should have commitment to build the agricultural sector. Government should make a significant breakthrough for the agricultural sector. “We want that the economic growth could be enjoyed by most of the people of Bali,” he concluded. (par)

Bali established 15 local holidays Antara Denpasar – Bali Governor, Made Mangku Pastika, established 15 local holidays in Bali. Those holidays are outside the 13 public holidays and 4 days of government holidays. “The local holiday is given to the people in Bali in order to give the opportunity for the Hindus to pray and carry out other rituals,” said Ketut Teneng, the spokesman of Bali Government.

Among the holidays are Siwa Ratri day which fall on January 3, 2010. Siwa Ratri is the day to look back on our sins in the past year.

There will be three days of local holiday for the Nyepi procession which consist of Tawur Kesanga, Nyepi Day, and Ngembak Geni.

Those procession will fall started on March 4 through March 6, 2010.

The Hindus will also get extra holidays on Galungan day. The local holiday for Galungan will start on July 5 through July 7, 2010.

Ketut Teneng explained that the letter for the governor regarding the local holiday had been given to all departments throughout Bali.

The departments related with to public service such as hospitals, Electricity Company, and fire department should arrange the work time of the employee in order to give the service to the people.

al

Friday, December 24, 2010

Penjor decorating Christmas celebration in Banjar Tuka

Balinese Culture Indonesian Curried Crab

Antara

Ingredients

Denpasar – The Christian is preparing to celebrate Christmas 2010 and many of them have unique ways to do it. One of them can be seen in Banjar Tuka, Dalung village, Badung where the Christian make “penjor”, the traditional Balinese ornaments, as decoration during Christmas.

* 4 crabs * 6 Shallots * 2 Stalks lemon grass * 2 ts Tamarind * 1/2 c Boiling water * 1 Handful coriander leaves * 3 Cloves garlic * 1 tb Fresh galangal * 2 To 3 birdseye chillies, -seeded * 4 Candlenuts * 1 t Blachan * 1 t Tumeric * Salt and pepper to taste * 3 tb Oil * 2 c Coconut milk

Penjor, ornament made from bamboo filled with coconut leafs is one of the tools during ceremony and cultural events for the Balinese in Bali.

The head of Paroki Tritunggal Mahakudus Church, Ketut Jack Mudastra, said Thursday that the tradition has been carried out since a long time ago. The Christian in Banjar Tuka always prepare penjor for Christmas celebration.

Most of the residents in Banjar Tuka are able to make penjor simi-

lar to the Hindus throughout Bali.

Currently, there are approximately 800 families in Banjar Tuka and ther are divided into 11 sectors.

Banjar Tuka is the first village in Bali who embrace Christianity in 1935 and they keep on developing until today.

Jack Mudastra said that in addition to make penjor, the church in the area is also decorated with other Balinese ornaments. The preparation for Christmas has been done in the last few days.

The church will also carry out social activities such as giving donation to the orphan and also give fruits and cake for the non-Christian families in the area. Paroki Tritunggal Mahakudus Church which has the capacity of 2,000 people will carry out the holy mass for Christmas today at 7 pm local time.

There will be two other holy mass during Christmas on December 25, 2010 and it will be led by Romo Paulus Payong SPD.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com

Christians using Balinese attires during the Christmas celebration at Tuka Village.

Directions Cut the 4 crabs into quarters with a cleaver or large knife. With a hammer, gently crack the claws and harder sections of shell.

Finely chop 6 shallots and 2 stalks lemon grass.

Steep 2 teaspoons tamarind in half a cup of boiling water. Chop a handful of fresh coriander leaves.

In a food processor, grind together 3 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon fresh galangal, 2-3 birdseye chillies, seeded, 4 candlenuts (or substitute 8-10 cashews) and 1 teaspoon blachan (hard dark brown shrimp paste), 1 teaspoon turmeric and salt and pepper to taste. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large wok or pan, and fry the paste until fragrant. Add shallots, lemon grass, crab pieces and 2 cups coconut milk. Simmer for quarter of an hour.

Strain the tamarind water and add half to the sauce.

Taste and add more if you wish. Ladle curvy into a serving dish and scatter the fresh coriander on top.

Serve with plain rice. (http://asiarecipe.com)

Gulai Merah (Beef Short Ribs) Ingredients * 4 Shallots, sliced * 3 Garlic cloves, sliced * 1 Piece of fresh ginger, -sliced * 4 Or 5 hot red chile peppers, -seeded, sliced * 2 ts Ground coriander * 1/8 ts Ground turmeric * 1 ts Salt, or to taste * 2 c Water * 2 lb Lean short ribs of beef, -cut into 3-inch pieces * 2 tb Corn oil * 2 Salam leaves * 2 sl Laos * 1 Stalk lemon grass * 1 sl Lemon Directions Process shallots, garlic, ginger, chiles, coriander, turmeric, salt and 1/2 cup of water to a smooth sauce.

Marinate beef for 1/2 hour.

Heat the oil: add the beef and marinade, the salam, laos, lemon grass and lemon; stir-fry over moderate heat for 5 minutes. Add remaining water, cover and cook until beef is tender, about 1 hour. If the sauce evaporates too quickly, add another 1/2 cup water and continue to simmer. Serve warm.

C.045 ibp

Serves six with rice and salad. (http://asiarecipe.com)

9

10

Friday, December 24, 2010

Destinations

International

Batukaru Temple IBP

http://static.panoramio.com

Luhur Watukaru temple or Pura Batukaru is one of the biggest Hindu Temples in Bali (Sad Kahyangan) with Catur Lokapala Temple and Padmabhuwana Temple status. It is set in the plateau area with lush tropical rain forest surround it. It is situated in the peaceful area which is far from the local resident that is ideally for worship. There are some temple building spread out through the tranquility of rain forest and the big mountain of Batukaru as a back drop.

Watukaru or Batukaru Temple is located at Wangaya Gede countryside, Penebel District and Tabanan regency, and west part of Bali Island.

It is located right on the foot of Mount Batukaru and about 1.30 hours from Denpasar Airport.

The history of this temple is difficult to be found out even in the ancient omission exists in this temple.

For example some profile area like harpoon own the Ancient Bali type, but no written data found it. The effort study and research of this temple history remain to find difficulties. The temple festival at Luwur Watukaru or Batukaru Temple is executed every

International Bali Post Classifieds BALI CENTRAL CANOPY

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Harga Termurah Kwalitas Terjamin Jln. Buana Raya 88X, Padangsambian - Denpasar

Telp./Fax : (0361) 8600043, 7429952, 485041 C.513069-bkl

Apapun kebutuhan CCTV Anda, ada di sini!

Garansi Barang & Jasa... PASTI ! !

Dengan tenaga berpengalaman, instalasi dijamin rapi Hubungi:

Jln. Buluh Indah No. 23 Denpasar Telp. (0361) 2764411-088802911054 C.492248-elk

C.492607-rpa

again clean the hand and gargle because, it has been conducted the hallowing of body by conducting pray in Beji Temple. This is specification of praying procession in Watukaru Temple.

The three elements temple area of Watukaru or Batukaru is equal to other temples in Bali generally which is consisted of outside area (Nista Mandala), Middle area (Madya mandala) and Center area (Utama Mandala). After refurbishing three temples are of this temple in some years ago, the element conception and structure of these three temple areas are progressively become everlasting and conceptual.

This is especially in outside area where we can meet the existence of Wantilan building (Meeting Hall) which can be used for multifunction and it is located on the right of the entrance gate. The refurbishment at the parking area has made easy for the Hindu society or all tourists who pay a visit to this temple. It is also other public facilities like toilet which is located at outside temple area or the left side of entrance gate is in good condition and cleans enough.

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six-month or 210 days which is every Thursday Umanis Wara Dungulan (Balinese Calendar), just the day after Galungan Day (the biggest Balinese Hindu Holidays). The extension day of temple festival is executed during eleven day, to give the opportunity for Hindu public society especially in Bali to come for praying. Pengempon (the society who take care of the temple) has the obligation to take care of the temple inclusive of ceremony execution.

This fact is one of characteristic power outside of physical of Watu Karu Temple.

Kubayan is commissioned holy occupation lead the temple ceremony and his status higher than all priests in Pretending pertinent Ancient. In the execution of praying during the temple festival or the certain day ceremony, it has to be preceded by doing pray in Beji Temple which is located in eastside of Watu Karu Temple or inside of Madya Mandala (middle area) and Nista Mandala (outside area). After doing pray in Beji Temple, then the praying is continued in the main temple building located in the center of temple area. This is also not need

Jl. Kepundung 67 A, e-mail: info_ibp@balipost.co.id Jl. Palmerah Barat 21 F

Friday, December 24, 2010

11

BUSINESS Greek lawmakers approve 2011 austerity budget Agence France-Presse

ATHENS – Greek lawmakers early Thursday approved an austerity budget, part of a tough economic overhaul imposed after the debt-hit country’s international bailout, as thousands of protesters marched in Athens.

Some 3,000 unionists and ComAFP PHOTO / Aris Messinis A demonstrator waves a Greek munists staged separate demonstraflag with ‘’for sale’’ notices on tions Wednesday to reject the ecoit during a protest outside the nomic blueprint containing over 14 Greek parliament on Decem- billion euros in savings for 2011 in ber 22, 2010 in Athens. Greek a bid to restore balance to Greece’s woeful public finances. lawmakers early Thursday apAfter five days of debates the proved an austerity budget, budget was adopted by 156 votes to part of a tough economic over- 142, with the ruling socialist Pasok haul imposed after the debt-hit in favour and the rightist New Decountry’s international bailout, mocracy, communists, radical left as thousands of protesters and extreme right voting against. marched in Athens.

The 2011 budget includes cuts in the badly mismanaged Greek health sector and state-owned companies, a two percent increase in the lower sales tax rate from 11 to 13 percent, a tax evasion crackdown, lower defense spending and pensions freeze.

Prime Minister George Papandreou told parliament he was “determined” to make all the changes needed to pull the country out of crisis, saying: “Despite the difficulties I am optimistic, Greece will not go bankrupt.”

He added in a televised speech: “Without the aid of the European mechanism, the country would have collapsed.”

Papandreou appealed to all the opposition parties to “assume their responsibilities” and contribute to efforts to save the economy.

As the protesters marched on Wednesday the streets of the capital were already clogged with traffic due to a public transport strike — the fourth this month — against wage cuts and parts of the city were overflowing with rubbish after a sanitation walkout.

“The government is trying to pit social groups against each other,” senior bus unionist Nikos Kouloumbaritsis told Flash Radio.

“We have suffered five wage cuts since January, nobody can consider living on a wage of 1,000 euros (1,315 dollars),” he said. “We are not stopping our mobilization.”

The minimum wage in Greece is 740 euros.

Investors also doubt that Greece can fulfill its promises, despite having slashed its public deficit by some six percent of output this year.

One of the major rating agencies, Fitch, said on Tuesday it could downgrade its rating on Greece after a similar warning from another agency, Moody’s, last week.

With thousands of jobs already lost, wages cut and prices climbing from tax hikes, the country’s influential unions have hit back with seven general strikes this year and waves of street protests.

Fearful of further social unrest in the midst of the festive season, the government has opted to postpone to early next year a controversial reform to liberalize scores of regulated professions.

Officials say that entry or pricing restrictions in these sectors have stymied competition for decades but many of the professionals targeted in the reform, including notaries, pharmacists, engineers and architects, counter that the measures will harm service quality and have pledged to resist them.

The economic overhaul has been mandated by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund which in May extended Greece a 110-billioneuro (145-billion-dollar) loan when the country came close to bankruptcy.

The money is released in installments conditional on Greece making progress in its reforms.

Under the terms of the rescue, Greece agreed that its public deficit would be reduced to 7.6 percent of Gross Domestic Product in 2011, aiming to eventually reach the EU limit of three percent.

But additional measures became necessary after the 2009 public deficit was revised upwards last month to 15.4 percent of GDP from the previously given 13.6 percent by Eurostat, the EU statistics agency.

The result is that the 2010 shortfall will now be 9.4 percent of output, above the 8.1 percent target.

As a result, Athens has had to find extra savings to keep its finances on track to meet the 2011 target.

Oil rises to 2-year high near $91 as equities jump Associated Press Writer

SINGAPORE – Oil prices rose to fresh two-year highs near $91 a barrel Thursday in Asia as a U.S. stock market rally boosted optimism that demand will improve.

Benchmark oil for February delivery rose as high as $90.79 a barrel, the highest since October 2008, and was up 8 cents to $90.57 a barrel at midday Singapore time in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract rose 66 cents to settle at $90.48 on Wednesday.

The Dow Jones industrial average and the S&P 500 index both rose Wednesday to their highest levels since July 2008 after the Commerce Department said the U.S. economy rose in the third quarter at an annual rate of 2.6 percent, a slight increase from its earlier estimate.

“The price of crude is highly connected to the direction of the equities markets and confidence in a global recovery,” Sander Capital Advisors said in a report. “When equities go up, it tends to mean confidence is up and thus consumption is up.”

Crude was also buoyed by falling U.S. crude supplies, which suggest demand may be improving.

The Energy Department’s Energy Information Administration said Wednesday that crude supplies dropped by 5.3 million barrels last week from the week before. The EIA said last week that supplies dropped 9.9 million barrels the previous week, the biggest drop in

eight years.

“The market at its tightest in well over two years,” Barclays Capital said in a report. “At the start of the year, even the most optimistic view on the oil market would not have expected such a barrage of upside demand surprises and such a quick drawdown of inventories.”

In other Nymex trading in January contracts, heating oil rose 0.6 cent to $2.53 a gallon, gasoline futures added 0.1 cent to $2.43 a gallon and natural gas dropped 0.4 cent to $4.11 per 1,000 cubic feet.

In London, Brent crude rose 4 cents to $93.69 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange.

China says willing to help euro zone return to economic health Reuters

BEIJING – China is willing to help countries in the euro zone return to economic health and will support the International Monetary Fund bailout package for the bloc, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said on Thursday.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman

Jiang Yu also told a regular news conference in Beijing that the eurozone is one of the important areas for China’s foreign exchange investments, following a report that Beijing could step in to shore up European finances.

China offered to take more “concerted action” to support European financial stabilization, the Financial

Times said on Wednesday, citing unnamed senior European officials after talks with Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan.

Separately, a Portuguese newspaper reported on Wednesday that China is ready to buy 4-5 billion euros of Portuguese sovereign debt to help the country ward off pressure in debt markets.

AFP PHOTO / Antony DICKSON

Zhan Chunxin, chairman of Changsha Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science and Technology Development Co., Ltd., raises his glass at the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (SEHK) in Hong Kong on December 23, 2010. Zoomlion listed for the first time on the main board of the SEHK.

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Friday, December 24, 2010

Entertainment

International

David Schwimmer’s violent film “Trust” loses ratings appeal Reuters

LOS ANGELES – Former “Friends” star David Schwimmer has lost a bid to soften the rating for his latest directing effort, a movie about the dangers of online predators.

“Trust,” due out in theaters on April 1, was handed a restrictive “R” rating for “disturbing material involving the rape of a teen, language, sexual content and some violence.”

An appeal filed by distributor

Millennium Entertainment was fell on deaf ears at the Motion Picture Association of America’s Classification and Rating Appeals Board, which on Wednesday upheld the original rating.

Executive producer Avi Lerner had said in a statement that it was important for the film be seen by teenagers, especially as a cautionary tale. Schwimmer had said that he would not modify the film in order to receive a lesser rating. The film stars Clive Owen and Catherine Keener.

AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth

Tourists cross over the zebra crossing in Abbey Road in London, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010. The worldfamous zebra crossing which features on the cover of the Beatles’ Abbey Road sleeve has been given “listed” status by the Government.

Beatles ‘Abbey Road’ crossing given heritage status Agence France Presse REUTERS/ Mike Cassese

Director David Schwimmer (R) speaks beside actor Clive Owen during a news conference for the film “Trust” at the 35th Toronto International Film Festival September 11, 2010.

Jamie Foxx: Daughter helped my music career Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK – Call her the guardian angel for Jamie Foxx’s music career. The Oscar and Grammy winner said Tuesday his 16-year-old daughter, Corinne, gave him the best advice when he began recording music.

“When I first started I was doing this little slow music, you know, just R&B ... and my daughter walked in and said, ‘What you doing?’ I said, ‘I’m working on the album.’ She said, ‘I hope you don’t put that on there because you going to put everybody to sleep,’” Foxx said.

His daughter told him reach out to younger artists to aid in his music career. And that’s exactly what the 43-year-old performer did.

In 2005 Foxx released “Unpredictable,” a double-platinum album that featured production work and guest appearances from Kanye West, Ludacris and Tank. He followed that with 2008’s “Intuition,” another platinum CD that featured the Grammy-winning party jam, “Blame It.” And this week Foxx released “Best Night of My Life”; the album has collaborations with top acts like Drake, Justin

Timberlake, Rick Ross and T.I. “A lot of times in order to be successful with music, you have to listen and sometimes allow other people to sort of steer you in the right direction,” Foxx said.

LONDON – A legendary London zebra crossing featured on the cover of The Beatles’ album “Abbey Road” has been designated a heritage site, the British government said Wednesday. Heritage minister John Penrose said the decision to list the black-and-white crossing in north London was a “fantastic testimony to the international fame of the Beatles”.

Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr are seen walking across the road in the picture on the sleeve of their 1969 album. The crossing is outside the Abbey Road studios where it was recorded.

McCartney welcomed the news,

which comes in a big year for the band after their songs went on sale on Apple’s iTunes for the first time.

“It’s been a great year for me and a great year for the Beatles and hearing that the Abbey Road crossing is to be preserved is the icing on the cake,” McCartney said. It is the first

time that Britain has given so-called Grade II status to a site that is not a building.

“It is a fantastic testimony to the international fame of the Beatles that, more than 40 years on, this crossing continues to attract thousands of visitors each year, trying to mimic their iconic Abbey Road album cover,” Penrose said.

“Abbey Road” was the best-selling Beatles album on iTunes in the United States since the band’s debut on the site in November. This month marks 30 years since Lennon was gunned down in Manhattan in December 1980.

Foo Fighters play new songs at secret L.A. show Reuters

AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, File

FILE - In this Sept. 14, 2007 file photo, actor Jamie Foxx, right, holds up a star as he poses with his daughter Corrine Bishop as Foxx receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES – The Foo Fighters took time out from finishing their new album to unveil some new tunes and dust off some oldies at a secret club show for fans, family members and famous friends in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

Among the famous faces in the crowd at Palladino’s were actors Ryan Phillippe, Amanda Seyfried and Shane West who took in a set list that boasted such hits as opener “Times Like These,” “My Hero,” “For All The Cows,” “Generator,” “The Pretender” and “Learn To Fly.” The band also debuted several songs, including “Dear Rosemary,” “White Limo,” and “Back and Forth.” The latter which may end up as the title of their seventh album, band frontman Dave Grohl told the crowd.

On one new song, presumably called “I Should Have Known,” Grohl was joined on stage by former Nirvana bandmate Krist Novoselic, who reportedly plays accordion on the new album.

The album, produced by Butch Vig (Nirvana’s “Nevermind”) in Grohl’s home studio, marks the follow-up to 2007’s “Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace.”

Dave Grohl of U.S. rock band Foo Fighters performs during the MTV Europe Awards ceremony in Berlin November 5, 2009.

REUTERS/Tobias Schwarz

Life Style

International

Friday, December 24, 2010

Cache in Chinese Mountain Reveals 20,000 Prehistoric Fossils A GIANT cache of nearly 20,000 fossil reptiles, shellfish and a host of other prehistoric creatures unearthed from a mountain in China is now revealing how life recovered after the most devastating mass extinction on Earth.

This research could help point out which species might be more or less susceptible to extinction nowadays, and how the world might recover from the damage caused by humanity, scientists added.

Life was nearly completely wiped out approximately 250 million years ago by massive volcanic eruptions and devastating global warming. Only one in 10 species survived this cataclysmic end-Permian event.

Much was uncertain regarding the steps life took to piece itself back together after this disaster, or even how

long it took. Now the clearest picture yet of this recovery has been discovered by a team of researchers, who excavated away half a mountain in Luoping in southwest China to unearth thousands of marine fossils, the first fully functional ecosystem seen after the end-Permian.

“The pattern and timing of recovery can tell us something about how life today might recover after human-induced crises,” said researcher Michael Benton, a vertebrate paleontologist at the University of Bristol in England.

The 50-foot-thick (16 meters)

IBP/ist

a reptile fossil

layer of limestone that held these fossils dates back to when south China was a large island just north of the equator with a tropical climate. A smattering of fossil land plants suggest this marine community lived near a conifer forest.

The fossils are exceptionally wellpreserved, with more than half of them completely intact, including soft tissues. Apparently they were protected across the ages by mats of microbes that rapidly sealed their bodies off from decay after death.

“Soft tissues can give us more profound information about larger patterns of evolution and relationships, such as the feathers on dinosaurs,” Benton said. “Soft tissues in some of the marine creatures may help us understand diet and locomotion.”

Ninety percent of the fossils are bug-like creatures, such as crustaceans, millipedes and horseshoe crabs. Fish make up 4 percent, including the “living fossil” known as the coelacanth, which is still alive today nearly 250 million years later. Snails, bivalves (creatures including clams and oysters), squid-like belemnoids, nautilus-like ammonoids and other mollusks make up about 2 percent of the fossils.

The largest creature the scientists found was a thalattosaur, a marine reptile about 10 feet (3 meters) in length, which would have preyed on the larger fishes there, which reached lengths of about 3 feet (1 m). Other predatory marine reptiles the scientists found include dolphin-bodied ichthyosaurs. “Every time we find a new site like this, we get closer to what life in the past was really like,” Benton told LiveScience.

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AFP/File/Kazuhiro Nogi

Pieces of whale sushi made from sliced minke meats, blubber and rice balls pictured at a sushi shop in Japanese whaling town Ayukawahama, Miyagi prefecture, June 2010.

NZ warns of dangerous Antarctic whaling season Associated Press Writer

WELLINGTON, New Zealand – New Zealand warned Wednesday that the mood between Japanese whalers and protesters who challenge them annually off Antarctica is especially volatile this year, and urged both sides to show restraint to ensure no one is killed.

The whalers left Japan earlier this month for the Antarctic Ocean, and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society boats have left New Zealand in pursuit.

Each year, protesters try to harass the whaling fleet into stopping a hunt that Japan says is part of a scientific program that allows an exemption from an international moratorium on the commercial killing of the animals. The protesters say there is no reason to kill the animals to research them, and that the program amounts to commercial whaling in disguise because surplus meat of the killed whales is sold in Japan.

Clashes between the sides often take place, and last January a Sea Shepherd boat was sunk after its bow was sheared off in a collision with a whaling ship. Each hunting season runs from about December through February.

New Zealand Foreign Minister

Murray McCully on Wednesday appealed to both sides to adhere to the law of the sea and show proper regard for the safety of other human beings.

“Here you have a pretty explosive cocktail. You’ve got Japanese whalers going down there feeling somewhat angry about the developments last year ... you’ve got protesters going down there saying they’re going to take a very robust approach,” he said.

McCully said armed Japanese coastguard personnel are on the Japanese whaling ships this year, for the first time in three years.

“Anyone who looks at what happened last year has got to be fearful there will be a loss of human life under those circumstances,” McCully told reporters.

His comments come a day after Sea Shepherd’s protest vessel Steve Irwin sailed from the New Zealand capital, Wellington, to join the group’s two other protest boats in searching for the whaling fleet.

Late last month, the Japanese fisheries ministry confirmed that armed coast guard officers would travel on the whaling ships for the first time in three years, in response to an activist’s boarding of a whaler last February.

Sony launches subscription music streaming service Associated Press Writer

TOKYO – Sony Corp. on Wednesday launched a music streaming service in a bid to boost sales of its consumer electronics and break Apple’s dominance of the online music business. The Japanese company’s “Music Unlimited powered by Qriocity” is a digital music service based on cloud technology that does not involve downloading tracks like Apple’s iTunes, which started in 2001.

Instead, a subscription gives users access to a catalog of about 6 million songs, which can be streamed across Sony’s Internet-connected devices like the PlayStation 3, personal computers and Bravia TVs. The service can be synchronized with a user’s existing music files, including iTunes, Sony said.

The service debuted in the U.K. and Ireland on Wednesday and will be rolled out in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and New Zealand and the U.S. next year.

“Music Unlimited” follows the launch this year of an on-demand video service that is now available in the U.S. and several European countries.

For Sony, the two services represent an effort to better integrate the company’s consumer electronics with content like music, movies and games in a fiercely competitive market. Sony is banking on Qriocity — its new online entertainment platform announced earlier this year_ to help make that happen.

While it remains to be seen whether consumers will embrace the new services, Sony is starting off with a substantial user base through the

PlayStation 3. The video game console has more than 60 million users worldwide, and about 80 percent of PS3s are connected to the Web. In developing its new music service, Sony decided to shift away from downloadable songs, said Kazuo Hirai, executive vice president and head of the company’s Networked Products and Services division.

“We realized that if we were playing catch up with the same (iTunes) model, it would be difficult to appeal to users,” Hirai told reporters in Tokyo.

Initially, the service is intended to mainly enhance the appeal of its products against competitors like Microsoft Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co. “But over time, it needs to stand on its own,” Hirai said.

AFP/File/Yoshikazu Tsuno

Pedestrians pass before the headquarters of Japanese electronics giant Sony in Tokyo on January 13, 2009. Sony is planning to buy back a Japanese factory from Toshiba as it seeks to double output for sensors used in cameras and smartphones amid rising global demand, reports said Thursday.

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Sport

Friday, December 24, 2010

Henry to renounce his World Cup bonus Agence France Presse

PARIS – Thierry Henry confirmed Thursday he would be renouncing his World Cup bonus following France’s disastrous display in South Africa.

Earlier this week it emerged that Henry and Nicolas Anelka, whose expulsion from the France camp led to the infamous training strike, were the only two players who had yet to formally reject the payment available to them.

On Wednesday French sports minister Chantal Jouanno announced that both players “were in the process” of signing the necessary paperwork.

Henry, in an interview in sports daily L’Equipe, confirmed: “It was only on Tuesday that my agent received an e-mail from the FFF (the French Football Federation). In order to sign a document you have to be aware of it first. It will be signed and approved.”

The former France captain added: “In view of how we performed in South Africa I find it more than normal that we forfeit our bonuses.”

Henry, France’s all-time leading scorer, played a substitute’s role at the World Cup and is now playing in the United States with the New York Red Bulls.

Anelka has said he plans to give his bonus to help the amateur game.

International

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal, left celebrates with Pepe from Portugal after scoring against Levante during a Spanish Copa del Rey soccer match at the Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Wednesday Dec. 22, 2010.

AP Photo/Paul White

Ronaldo hat trick as Real Madrid routs Levante 8-0 Associated Press Writer

MADRID – Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema had three goals each to lead Real Madrid to an 8-0 rout of Levante on Wednesday night in the first leg of the fifth round of Spain’s Copa del Rey.

AFP/File/Alexander Joe

Thierry Henry, seen here in June 2010, confirmed he would be renouncing his World Cup bonus following France’s disastrous display in South Africa.

Ronaldo scored in the 45th, 72nd and 74th minutes, raising his season total to 25 goals in 24 matches in all competitions for Madrid this season.

Benzema connected in the sixth, 32nd and 70th minutes, and Mesut Oezil and Pedro Leon also scored.

The second leg of the total-goals series is at Levante on Jan. 5.

Also, Simao Sabrosa’s 33rdminute penalty kick gave Atletico Madrid a 1-0 win over Espanyol as both teams finished a man short.

Atletico president Enrique Cerezo recently said Simao will soon be transferred to Turkey’s Besiktas, and the Portuguese winger received a standing ovation from the crowd at Vicente Calderon stadium when he was substituted late.

Koffi Romaric scored twice in Sevilla’s 5-3 win over Malaga, Jose Ulloa had a hat trick to give Almeria a 4-3 win over Mallorca,

and Getafe beat second-division Real Betis 2-1.

Germany

Bayern Munich beat Stuttgart 6-3 to advance to the quarterfinals of the German Cup, three days after winning 5-3 against the same opponent in the Bundesliga.

Miroslav Klose came off the bench and scored twice in his first game in three months following a hamstring injury. Andreas Ottl, Mario Gomez, Thomas Mueller and Franck Ribery, which scored the final three goals and finished with a two-man advantage.

Pavel Pogrebnyak scored twice for Stuttgart.

In other games, three second-division teams advanced against Bundesliga clubs: Energie Cottbus won 3-1 at Wolfsburg, Duisburg upset Cologne 2-1 and Alemannia Aachen eliminated Eintracht Frankfurt 5-3 on penalty kicks after a 1-1 tie. American midfielder Ricardo Clark played the

entire match for Frankfurt.

France

Lille entered the winter break with the French league lead after a 1-1 tie with Saint-Etienne.

Lille striker Moussa Sow scored his league-leading 14th goal in the 72nd minute, collecting Gervinho’s cross into the box and outpacing U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra before beating goalkeeper Jeremie Janot. Bakary Sako converted a penalty kick three minutes later.Lille (8-8-2) has 32 points, one more than Paris Saint-Germain, Rennes and Lyon (each 8-4-7). PSG’s 13-game unbeaten streak in all competitions ended when it lost 2-0 at Nancy. Rennes was defeated 1-0 at Caen and Lyon tied 1-1 against visiting Auxerre.

American forward Charlie Davies didn’t dress for Sochaux’s 2-1 loss at Monaco. Still trying to regain fitness following injuries sustained in an October 2009 car crash, Davies dressed Sunday but didn’t play against Bordeaux.

Wenger reveals Vermaelen concern London - Arsene Wenger has suggested Thomas Vermaelen could miss the rest of the season if he suffers a fresh setback in his bid to overcome an Achilles problem. Vermaelen was initially expected to miss just a few days when he suffered an Achilles injury, but he has not featured for his club since August.

While Wenger has reiterated that the defender is likely to be back in late January, he revealed the coming days will

determine whether or not he can play a role in the second half of the campaign.

“Thomas has been out for a long time and we are hopeful he will come back in January,” Wenger said. “He’s had a few setbacks and the decider on whether he plays a part this season is now because he is practising again.

“If he has another setback I don’t know what the medical staff will do, but overall they look quite optimistic he will be back in January.

“I feel we can’t complain with our injury situation because we have had periods where we have had many more injuries than now.”

Despite the fears over Vermaelen, Wenger stressed that January signings would be dependent on player sales rather than injury.

“We have players to deal with it if there is a setback,” he said.

“We have 25 players and you can’t have more. Unless people move out, nobody can come in.”

IBP/ist

Thomas Vermaelen

Sport

International

Friday, December 24, 2010

15

Celtics beat 76ers 84-80 for 14th straight win Associated Press Writer

BOSTON – There’s something about the Boston Celtics’ 14-game winning streak that doesn’t seem quite right to coach Doc Rivers. Point guard Rajon Rondo, after getting off to the best start of his career, has missed six of the 14 wins. Backup Delonte West missed the last 12. Shaquille O’Neal sat out four. Jermaine O’Neal hasn’t played since the winning streak began. And Kendrick Perkins, the starting center on last season’s Eastern Conference champions, hasn’t gotten on the floor all season.

“Usually, when you’re on a winning streak, everybody’s healthy, everybody’s playing well and you’re rolling,” Rivers said Wednesday night after the Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 84-80 for their 14th win in a row. “You could make the case it’s the opposite with us.”

Ray Allen scored 22 points, and Paul Pierce recovered after missing his first seven shots to score 11 with four key baskets in the second half.

Shaquille O’Neal had 13 points and nine rebounds, but he missed two free throws with 1:02 left and Boston nursing a two-point lead.

That gave Philadelphia two chances to tie it, but Andre Iguodala slipped and turned the ball over the first time and then had his shot blocked by Kevin Garnett the next.

Allen hit a pair of free throws with 5.6 seconds left to ice it.

“We’ve won games in the 100s; we’ve won games in the 80s. And

we’re just finding ways to grind it out cause we don’t have the healthy bodies,” said Pierce, who finished 4 for 15 from the floor. “You don’t know who’s going to be in there night-in and night-out.”

Elton Brand had 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Jrue Holiday scored 15 points for Philadelphia, which was coming off its worst loss in three years — a 45-point loss to the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night. “I couldn’t be more proud of them,” Sixers coach Doug Collins said.

“Last night was such an aberration.

Our guys compete every night, and for them to come out and play the Celtics like they did, they showed who they are. That’s who I know they are.”

The Sixers led with 5 minutes left before Pierce stole the ball near midcourt and took it in for a dunk. It was 80-78 when Pierce hit a 19footer, just his fourth basket of the game. Brand made a short jumper,

then fouled out when he pulled O’Neal down to keep him from scoring an easy layup.

O’Neal missed both foul shots, but Iguodala slipped near the lane and Garnett came away with the ball.

After Boston failed to score, Iguodala went to the basket but Garnett tipped the shot and Pierce came away with the rebound. “We expected their best due to how they played (Tuesday) night, and how they got beat,” Garnett said. “So we were prepared for a dogfight. We don’t like ‘em. But, hey, we’ll suit up for them either way.”

The Celtics have not lost since Nov. 21, the second game of their only two-game losing streak of the season. Their 14-game winning streak matches the fifth-longest in the history of the NBA’s most-decorated franchise, and it ties the third-longest in 46 years. The 2007-08 team, which won Boston’s 17th NBA title, won a franchise-record 19 in a row.

AP Photo/Michael Dwyer

Boston Celtics’ Kevin Garnett, top right, blocks a shot by Philadelphia 76ers’ Jrue Holiday, top left, in the first quarter of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, in Boston.

Fergie expecting van der Sar exit Drug cheat US tennis Agence France Presse

MANCHESTER – Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson said Thursday he expects Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar to retire at the end of the season. Ferguson said United were already planning for life without van der Sar on the pitch, although the 40-year-old Holland international could possibly stay on as a coach at Old Trafford.

“We are planning for this being his last season,” Ferguson said. Asked about whether the goalkeeper could stay on to help coach his successor, Ferguson said the issue had not been discussed.

“But Edwin is a player who would

be of interest in terms of his knowledge and standing in the game,” he told reporters. Speculation over van der Sar’s future has bubbled for months, with Red Devils goalkeeping coach Eric Steele stating in October that the Dutchman was planning to retire.

However van der Sar, who joined United in 2005 after successful stints with Fulham, Juventus and Ajax, later denied making any decision on his future.“That’s complete nonsense. I do not know where this story comes from but it is nonsense,” he said. “I don’t yet know whether I will stop or continue after this season. Only in the course of this season will I think about it. Then I will decide and not before. For now I keep my focus on United.”

AFP/File/Andrew Yates

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson said he expects Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, seen here in March 2010, to retire at the end of the season.

player has year cut from ban Agence France Presse

LONDON – Disgraced American tennis player Wayne Odesnik had on Wednesday a year slashed from a two year ban for doping offences after co-operating fully with the International Tennis Federation’s antidoping programme.

The 25-year-old South Africanborn player - who reached a world best ranking of 77 last April - was arrested on January 2 in Brisbane, Australia, in possession of eight phials of human growth hormone and subsequently pleaded guilty in an Australian court on March 26 to importing it into Australia.

He has denied taking the banned performance enhancer. Odesnik’s ban had already been backdated to December 29, 2009, leaving him free to resume his playing career next week.

Disgraced American tennis player Wayne Odesnik, seen here in January 2010, had on Wednesday a year slashed from a two year ban for doping offences after cooperating fully with the International Tennis Federation’s anti-doping programme.

AFP/File/William West

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Friday, December 24, 2010

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

Sport

Ducati: Rossi’s fitness biggest concern Ducati’s sporting boss Filippo Preziosi has admitted that he is concerned Valentino Rossi’s testing programme could be hampered by his recovery from shoulder surgery. The MotoGP legend is joining Ducati from Yamaha next season, but was off the pace in his first test on the Italian bike in November, and then had surgery on the shoulder injury he had sustained in a Motocross incident earlier in the season.

In an interview with Motosprint, Preziosi confirmed that Rossi’s fitness was a worry, as he fears the former champion will still be below par physically when testing resumes in Malaysia in February.

“At the moment, the thing that worries me the most isn’t a technical issue,” Preziosi said. “I can’t figure when he will have the physical condition to really push on the track.

Valentino will come to Sepang fully recovered from a medical point of view, but physically he will have a big gap to make up. After all, he’ll come from a winter not dedicated to resting, but to working out to recover.

“Valentino will not have the

chance to rest, while for riders at that level it’s important to pull the plug a bit. Luckily he his super strong mentally, so he will come to the races in a strong psychological state of mind.”

Preziosi admitted that Rossi might have to limit his testing mileage for fitness reasons - yet will want to accumulate as many laps as possible as he adjusts to the very-different characteristics of the Ducati.

“We’ll have to be very able in asking him not to run too much,” said Preziosi. “Temperatures are very high in Sepang and conditions are extreme.

“The priority is for him to recover 100 per cent during the winter, so

for February and March it’s fine to sacrifice some extra information from running on the track. “We must be able to do without all the testing we’d like to do, otherwise we’d force Valentino into a hyper-activity on track that may slow down his recovery.

“We’ll have to make him run just as little as needed to develop the bike. I don’t want to risk having Valentino under 100 per cent in the races because he got too tired in testing. We must save him energy during the winter.

“It’s clear, however, that we will have to hold him back because he will want to understand and develop the bike as much as possible. To do that, he’ll want to run plenty.” The team boss added that Ducati would have to stay calm about its testing form, as it might not be representative.

“I don’t think we’ll lead the lap times, but we must avoid being influenced by it,” said Preziosi. “We must think about the races.”

Schumacher: I deserved 2010 criticism MICHAEL Schumacher says he fully accepts the criticism that he has received during his difficult comeback season, and that it will spur him on rather than being demotivating. The seven-time champion did not finish on the podium in the first year of his return with Mercedes, and was overshadowed by team-mate Nico Rosberg.

In an interview on his personal website published to mark a year since his comeback deal was announced, Schumacher said media criticism was “okay for me.” “I haven’t looked good all the time either,” Schumacher admitted. “I can live with criticism very well, you just have to differentiate it and it can bring you forward as well.

“What is much more important is that I deeply enjoy building what we are building here at this team and that is always the best base for success because you do not need to question the motivation. And please don’t get me wrong here; you don’t question the seriousness either. I can’t wait already to get the new season started.”

The German emphasised that he had anticipated his return to Formula 1 would be a tough process, though the lack of results did take him by surprise.

“The year has been a big challenge, and in this respect my expectations have been fulfilled,” said Schumacher. “In terms of results, we clearly did not meet our expectations.

“But then, you have to fight for the things you want to achieve, which has

always been my credo. Mercedes, the whole team, me - we are working together to build something great. Not being an easy process makes the challenge more exciting.

“None of us is the type of guy to just give up when faced with setbacks. It is the opposite, this makes us even more determined. I think I have proved over many years that I love challenges and that I am able to handle them. I have not regretted my decision to come back at all.”

Schumacher showed stronger form from the Japanese Grand Prix onwards, and said that upward curve left him ‘tingling’ with excitement over the possibility of fighting for

wins in 2011 “I look forward to some quiet days with my family over Christmas but I also notice that I am going all tingly already thinking about next year,” he said.

“We ended the season with a positive feeling and things were starting to come together with a tendency that was clearly positive. And from a physical point of view, the year wasn’t very demanding for me.

“So, knowing our developments for the new year makes me confident that we can fight for some race victories from our own power. This is a prospect which makes me look forward to competing again.”

IBP/ist

Michael Schumacher

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Valentino Rossi