Edisi 02 Januari 2012 | International Bali post

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New Year Eve in Gianyar stained brawls PAGE 8

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16 Pages Number 12 4th Year Price: Rp 3.000,-

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

Monday, January 2, 2012

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%R[ 2IÀFH Preview: ‘M:I4’ to tower over others PAGE 12

IBP/ded

Garbage pile up near tourists that learnt to surf in Kuta beach. The year-end celebration left Kuta beach deal with garbage.

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Kuta is still become the favorite spot to celebrate New Year for tourists. Hundreds of people enjoyed their time in Kuta Beach during the New Year celebration. That makes the beach filled with trash on Sunday, January 1, 2012. The garbage is predicted five times more than last year.

Garbage becomes the common problem face by Kuta Beach in every year end celebration. In addition to the garbage from the visitors, it is also coming from the sea.

Yesterday, the tourists who wanted to enjoy their new year time must shared the beach with garbage.

The officers were still trying hard to clean up the garbage. The

Head of Cleanliness and Gardening Department, Putu Eka Merthawan, said that the department is often facing problem in handling the garbage during the New Year celebration.

“This year, more tourists come to Kuta Beach so the garbage volume is increasing. We already carried 120 trucks of garbage to the final disposal place,” he added.

Eka said that the main problem faced in handling the garbage was the heavy traffic around Kuta. The

department actually had deployed the officers earlier but because of the traffic, they must take a long time to reach the garbage spots.

“Around 160 officers were deployed for Kuta area. The started to work at 5 am where usually they start to work at 7 am. Even so, the garbage is still very difficult to handle and we were overwhelmed with the number of garbage. The trucks were having difficulties in moving around due to the traffic jam,” he said. (kmb25)

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Transaction of power results in pragmatic ruler POLITICAL sphere is inseparable from the propaganda leading to power. Unfortunately, the political propaganda tend to be forgotten when the power has been at hand.

On the other hand, enjoyment of political power achieved through democratic process also causes many people to make it a legacy.

Intention to build a dynasty of power continues to be attempted. It

is indicated by a number of politicians imposing the inheritance of political power—though violating political ethics—in the democratic process. Unluckily, political parties are also subject to individual power ambitions by conducting pragmatic approach. Regeneration of political party is simply a discourse, considering the selection process of leader candidate was born from the power

negotiation and business interests.

Portrait of politics promoting the enjoyment of power is getting stronger and seems to virtually become a tradition. Many examples can be referred to represent these phenomena.

Even, inheritance of power coupled with the emergence of terms like crown prince as in monarchical system is considered reasonable for supporters of political power. In reality,

such a process will make democracy is limited to a means, not a process to produce an ideal leader.

Responding to the facts of such strengthening inheritance of political power in Bali, a political analyst who is also an activist of KMHDI Bali, Ray Misno, reminded to evaluate the patterns in the selection of future leaders.

Continued on page 6

2

Monday, January 2, 2012

International

Bali News Province gives no response

Central government may take over east ring road Amlapura (Bali Post)—

IBP/File

The farmer is using the hand plow to ciltivate his land

Tractor turns scarcer, farmers re-use hand plow Tabanan (Bali Post)—

The current rice planting season made a number of farmers confused as experienced by the farmers at Yeh Malet Hamlet, Blumbang Village, Kerambitan Subdistrict. Due to scarcity of hand tractor, local farmers were forced to use hand plow to cultivate their farmland. This method should be carried out because there were no spare plows.

Wayan Sumara, 40, one of the farmers said that on entering the planting season all the hand tractors were in use. As consequence, he had GLIÂżFXOW\ WR ÂżQG RXW VXFK ODQG FXOWLvator. “Since the planting season last concurrently, all the tractors are busy.

We forcibly use manual plows,� he said, Friday (Dec 30). Scarcity of SORZ GHYLFH KDSSHQHG IRU WKH ¿UVW time. Previously, local farmers could hire a plow with ease. Sadly, many plow devices were idle because there were no drivers.

According to Sumara, when using hand plows he should sweat. Within

one day, he could only plow two small plots of farmland whereas his land area was 1,700 square meters.

To accomplish the job, he should involve his wife. Manual plow was made of iron. It looked like the cowdrawn plow. The difference, this work should involve two people, one held the plow handles, while another drew the long stalk while walking slowly.

As a matter of fact, Sumara said, the hand plows gave much better result than the mechanical plow. The plowing result was deeper but it required quite long time because it ap-

plied human power. Due to scarcity of plow device, the schedule of planting season might delay until over a week. On that account, Sumara was forced to use hand plows and the cost was also relatively inexpensive.

Rental price of mechanical plow was in the range of IDR 10,000 per 100 meter square. Advantage of this device was that it could work quickly. According to Sumara, farmers could actually buy the device easily. +RZHYHU LW ZDV GLIÂżFXOW WR ÂżQG RXW the operator. “I have been looking around for tractor operator. But, I did not get,â€? he complained. (udi)

The status transfer of the eastern ring road from the Sukasada Ujung Park to Tulamben tourist resort can directly be taken over by central government with the status as state road. The road is very strategic as an access to development of tourist resort.

It was reported by the Karangasem Regent I Wayan Geredeg before the Coordinating Minister of People’s Welfare, Agung Laksono, and the entourage in Karangasem, Friday (Dec 30).

Previously, Deputy Regent of Karangasem, Made Sukerana, told reporters in Karangasem that central government had actually asked the eastern ring road so the status would become a state road. By doing so, the widening, repair, maintenance and bridge construction could be realized more quickly. The success of such ring road access was very important to develop the tourist resort from Ujung up to Tulamben.

Central government, continued Sukerana, asked Karangasem Regency to write a letter to Provincial Government namely Governor of Bali in order the road could be handed over to central government. Although the regency government had submitted a letter, it had not \HW EHHQ VLJQHG E\ WKH KLJKHU RIÂżFLDO LQ %DOL Before the entourage of the Minister, Regent Geredeg said if there were constraints of long time, status of the road could be directly taken over by central government.

It was important because so far the winding coastal area in the east ring road was very much in demand by investors.

So far, many villas had been established. Unfortunately, the development was poorly arranged pursuant to the existing beauty and provisions. “The land draws the interest of investors, many hotels and villas have been built but WKH\ DUH QRW ZHOO RUJDQL]HG ´ DIÂżUPHG *HUHGHJ Buleleng

He said the importance to continue the Tohpati-Kusamba bypass road access. According to him, there had been a signal if it would be resumed to Buleleng. By doing so, it would connect to the eastern ring road if the latter had been taken over by central government and changed into a state road. “This road access is important. Previously, Denpasar-Amlapura was covered within about 3 hours, now after the construction of Jalan Prof. Mantra, it can be covered within an hour,� he said.

As reported previously, in the eastern ring road, said the legislator of Karangasem House from Seraya Timur, Made Geriya, there were at least 11 rivers that had not been connected with bridges. In the rainy season, the road passing the rivers was very dangerous. In the last rainy season, some children were killed as swept away E\ Ă&#x20AC;RRGV RQ <HK %XQJ 5LYHU 6HUD\D 7LPXU RQH RI WKH 11 rivers that had not had a bridge.

The east ring road along some 43 km remained narrow, winding and very dangerous. Other than being narrow and winding, it had many sharp downward or upward road sections as well as damaged road at some points.

Likewise, avalanches at a number of locations had not been repaired yet. (013)

z Founder : K.Nadha, z General Manager :Palgunadi Chief Editor: Diah Dewi Juniarti z Editors: Gugiek Savindra,Alit Susrini, Alit Sumertha, Daniel Fajry, Mawa, Sri Hartini, Suana, Sueca, Sugiartha, Wirya, Yudi Winanto zDenpasar: 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. z Development: Alit Purnata, Mas Ruscitadewi. z 2IÂżFH: Jalan Kepundung 67 A Denpasar 80232. Telephone (0361)225764, )DFVLPLOH: 227418, P.O.Box: 3010 Denpasar 80001. Bali Post Jakarta, Advertizing: Jl.Palmerah Barat 21F. Telp 021-5357602, Facsimile: 0215357605 Jakarta Pusat. NTB: Jalam Bangau No. 15 Cakranegara Telp. (0370) 639543, )DFVLPLOH: (0370) 628257. Publisher: PT Bali Post

Bali News

International

Monday, January 2, 2012

3

147 personnel deployed to secure tourists on the beach Mangupura (Bali Post)â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

3DFLÂżFDWLRQ EHIRUH WKH WXUQ RI WKH \HDU ZDV QRW RQO\ FDUULHG RXW E\ SROLFH EXW DOVR E\ WKH Badung Lifeguard (Balawista) deploying 147 personnel to secure the tourists enjoying holidays on Kuta Beach and surrounding areas.

IBP/File

The situation during the New Year celebration in Ground Zero in Kuta

â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are alerted at 18 points along the beach in Badung Regency during this New Year celebration.

Since Kuta has become a favorite tourist destination of the world, certainly thousands of domestic and foreign tourists will celebrate the New Year here,â&#x20AC;? said Secretary of Badung Lifeguard, Ketut Ipel, on Friday (Dec 30).

He said the passing vehicles conveying tourist groups to Kuta Beach almost caused congestion. Such GHQVH WUDIÂżF Ă&#x20AC;RZV KDG EHHQ YLVLEOH from the Christmas celebration last week. Domestic tourists with private car from outside Bali such as Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Bandung were also getting involved in making the congestion in Kuta. Âł7UDIÂżF Ă&#x20AC;RZ RI YHKLFOHV OHDGLQJ to Kuta Beach and Jalan Raya Kuta was rather crowded due to the surge of foreign tourist visits such as from Australia and Europe as well as do-

mestic tourists,â&#x20AC;? he said.

According to him, hundreds of personnel were alerted from 7:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Local Time with two working shifts namely from 07:00 a.m. until 12:00 a.m., while the second shift was at 12:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We do not alert personnel at night because tourists rarely visit the beach at that time. Nevertheless, our personnel remain to patrol,â&#x20AC;? he said. +H VDLG D QXPEHU RI UHG Ă&#x20AC;DJV UHSresenting hazardous waters and ban to swim and surf as well as red-yellow Ă&#x20AC;DJ UHSUHVHQWLQJ D VDIH DUHD WR VZLP had been installed in several locations.

It was intended to avoid undesirable incidents due to unfavorable weather. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Until yesterday, we still address the junky rubbish to Kuta Beach so it will not disturb the comfort of visitors to Kuta Beach. To that end, we are working with relevant agencies, such as the Badung Sanitation and LandscapingAgency and Kuta Beach

Task Force,â&#x20AC;? he said.

High rate of tourist visit to Bali before the year-end of 2011 was also perceived by hotel management.

Secretary of the Indonesia Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI) of Bali Chapter, Ferry Markus, said that in the high season as today a number of hotels usually imposed an additional charge. However, the additional charge imposed was depending on each hotel management. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No hotel offers high discounted rate. Instead they mostly impose an additional charge, especially in high season, after which the rate would be back to normal,â&#x20AC;? he explained.

Though there were some hotels offering lower rates than usual days, said Ferry, they were only implemented by hotels or even restaurants that were recently opened or still in the promotional period.

However, the discounted rate was not until far below. (par)

Disorderly parking of Denfest reaps complaints VKRXOG KDYH EHHQ GHWHUPLQHG ÂżUVW so it is not temporary. When the Year-end event organized by DFWLYLW\ LV KHOG WKH RIÂżFHUV ZHUH Denpasar Municipality entitled then overwhelmed. This pattern Denpasar Festival (Denfest) was makes the parking arrangement not worked on maximally. Parking chaotic,â&#x20AC;? said Didik.

Meanwhile, the Head of Denspace, for instance, was not adequately prepared. This condition pasar Transportation Agency, I resulted in the poorly organized Gede Astika, said there had been parking arrangement on Jalan actually parking areas for visitors Udayana and surrounding areas. to Denpasar Festival. They conCar parking services was in dis- sisted of Jalan Sugianyar, Jalan order. Few parking arrangements Kaliasem and Jalan Surapati. of cars and motorcycles were set Meanwhile, visitors from the west up to three rows, so it made the were provided with parking space on Jalan Sulawesi. crowded road narrower.

However, based on observaOne of the Denpasar residents, Didik Parwata, met on the side- tion at location, all visitors to lines of his visit to the arena of Denpasar Festival wanted to Denpasar Festival, Friday (Dec park on Jalan Udayana. Unluck30), claimed to be confused with LO\ WKH RIÂżFHUV RI 7UDQVSRUWDWLRQ the parking location. When he Agency in charge at the location arrived together with colleagues, were unable to set the parking of he chose the parking space near vehicles so that many residents the intersection of Catur Muka. parked on the road section and Since the area had been fully oc- LW PDGH WKH WUDIÂżF Ă&#x20AC;RZ SDVVLQJ cupied by a lot of motorcycles, he through the roundabout of Catur was suddenly approached by an Muka crowded.

Astika admitted that on Jalan RIÂżFLDO RI 7UDQVSRUWDWLRQ $JHQF\ Udayana was allowed to park and forbidden to park there.

Ironically the parking ban for vehicles of visitors and VIP was not followed by providing invitees when there was a hapsolution with alternative parking pening. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our officers in the field locations. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Supposedly, there are have known when the parking can VSHFLÂżHG ORFDWLRQV XVHG IRU SDUN- be allowed and disallowed for ing since the beginning. Similarly, general public,â&#x20AC;? said Astika last The trafďŹ c jam happened throughout the city during the New Year celebration the forbidden area for parking Friday. (kmb12) Denpasar (Bali Post)â&#x20AC;&#x201D;

IBP/File

4

News

Monday, January 2, 2012

International

NKorea vows to defend Kim Jong Un ‘unto death’ Associated Press Writer

PYONGYANG, North Korea — North Korea vowed Sunday to stage an all-out drive for prosperity as it unites behind new leader Kim Jong Un, ushering in 2012 with promises to resolve food shortages, bolster its military and defend Kim Jong Il’s young son “unto death.”

The pledge in North Korea’s annual New Year’s message comes as the country enters a new era, with Kim Jong Un installed as supreme commander of the 1.2 million-strong military and ruling party leader following his father’s Dec. 17 death.

The message didn’t include the North’s routine harsh criticism of the United States and avoided the country’s nuclear ambitions, a suggestion that Pyongyang is willing to continue talks with Washington to win food aid. This year is a crucial one for North Korea as it tries to build a “great, prosperous and powerful nation” befitting the April 2012 centenary of the birth of national founder Kim Il Sung, the new leader’s grandfather.

“Glorify this year 2012 as a year of proud victory, a year when an era of prosperity is unfolding,” said the New Year’s message, carried by the official Korean Central News

Agency. “The whole party, the entire army and all the people should possess a firm conviction that they will become human bulwarks and human shields in defending Kim Jong Un unto death.”

North Korea said it would boost its military, and boasted that it is “at the epochal point of opening the gates of a thriving country,” with parts of Pyongyang “turned into socialist fairylands.”

Still, the message acknowledged the country’s food crisis, saying “the food problem is a burning issue.” North Korea had been in talks with the United States on food aid, but they stopped because of Kim Jong Il’s death.

The United Nations has said a quarter of North Korea’s 24 million people need outside food aid and that malnutrition is surging, especially among children.

The North’s message said organic farming methods should be used and that farming machinery and materials should be provided, but did not go into specifics for improving food supplies.

The message, a joint editorial appearing in the Rodong Sinmun, Joson Inmingun and Chongnyon Jonwi newspapers, said North Korea must build on foundations laid last year and turn itself “into an economic giant.” It also stressed the need to boost its power and coal industries and promote studies of information technology and bioengineering.

“This year’s message shows North Korea will focus on its economy and ideological solidarity to establish stability” for Kim Jong Un’s leadership, said Yoo Ho-yeol, a professor at Korea University in South Korea.

In this undated photo released by the Korean Central News Agency and distributed in Tokyo by the Korea News Service on Friday, Dec. 30, 2011, a commemorative postage stamp featuring late North Korean leader Kim Jong Il and his son Kim Jong Un is shown.

AP Photo/Korean Central News Agency via Korea News Service

NYC, world ring in 2012, bid adieu to a tough year Associated Press Writer

REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde

A woman weeps over her loved ones who died in the Christmas day bomb explosion at St. Theresa’s Catholic church in Madalla, just outside the capital Abuja December 31, 2011.

Nigeria’s Jonathan declares state of emergency Reuters

ABUJA - President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency on Saturday in parts of Nigeria plagued by a violent Islamist insurgency, and ordered shut the borders with Cameroon, Chad and Niger in the northeast.

Coming nearly a week after radical sect Boko Haram set off a series of bombs across Nigeria on Christmas Day, including one at a church that killed at least 37 people and wounded 57, Jonathan told state television the measures would aim to restore security in troubled parts of Nigeria’s north.

“The temporary closure of our borders in the affected areas is only an interim measure designed to address the current security challenges and will be resumed as soon as normalcy is restored,” he said.

He added that his chief of defence staff had been instructed to take other “appropriate”

measures, including setting up a special counterterrorism force.

The blasts have raised fears that Boko Haram, a movement styled on the Taliban and whose name means “Western education is forbidden,” is trying to ignite sectarian strife in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and top oil producer.

Jonathan has been criticised by the opposition and Christian groups for what they said was a slow response to the bombings.

“The crisis has assumed a terrorist dimension,” Jonathan said. “I therefore urge the political leadership (in northern local governments) to give maximum cooperation to ensure that the situation is brought under control.”

He listed the northern local governments affected by the decree, including a part of Niger state near the capital Abuja, the northern half of the conflict-prone city of Jos, and parts of Yobe and Borno in the remote, semi-arid northeast.

NEW YORK — Revelers erupted in cheers amid a confetti-filled celebration in New York’s Times Square to welcome in the new year, part of star-studded festivities and glittering fireworks displays around the world to usher in 2012. From New Zealand to New York, the world eagerly welcomed a new year Sunday and hoped for a better future, saying goodbye to a year of hurricanes, tsunamis and economic turmoil that many would rather forget.

In New York, hundreds of thousands gathered at the crossroads of the world to witness a crystal ball with more than 30,000 lights that descended at midnight. Lady Gaga and Mayor Michael Bloomberg led the crowd in the final-minute countdown of the famed crystal-paneled ball drop.

Matheus Campos, a law student from

Brazil, threw both arms in the air as the new year began in Times Square.

“It’s awesome,” he said. Revelers in Australia, Asia, Europe and the South Pacific island nation of Samoa, which jumped across the international dateline to be first to celebrate, welcomed 2012 with booming pyrotechnic displays.

Fireworks soared and sparked over Moscow’s Red Square, crowds on Paris’ Champs-Elysées boulevard popped Champagne corks at midnight.

But many approached the new year with more relief than joy, as people battered by weather disasters, joblessness and economic uncertainty hoped the stroke of midnight would change their fortunes.

“It was a pretty tough year, but God was looking after us and I know 2012 has got to be better,” said Kyralee Scott, 16, of Jackson, N.J., whose father spent most of the year out of work.

Revelers cheer behind police barricades in Times Square in anticipation of midnight on New Year’s Eve, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, in New York.

AP Photo/John Minchillo

International

Activities

Monday, January 2, 2012

5

Aston Imperium Purwokerto Opens IBP

IBP/Courtesy of Aston International

JAKARTA – Aston International recently announced the opening of the Aston Imperium Purwokerto Hotel & Convention Center.

The Aston Imperium Purwokerto Hotel & Convention Center is a contemporary and stylish 4 star Business & Convention Hotel located in the very heart of Purwokerto in close proximity to all major government offices and Purwokerto’s Golf Course which makes it an ideal vantage point for business travelers and a prime venue for the hosting of regional conference.

This newest Aston is the only international 4- star standard hotel in Purwokerto.

The hotel features 146 rooms and suites and a wide range of facilities including an all day dining restaurant & coffee shop, a full service spa, a well equipped fitness center, a business center and a stunning outdoor swimming pool. In line with the Astons

aim to become the preferred host hotel for regional conferences and exhibitions the hotel also offers a state of the art convention center with several mid seized meetings rooms and a convention hall for up to 1200 delegates.

Purwokerto is a city on the island of Java in Indonesia. It is the capital of the Banyumas Regency in Central Java and has a population of approximately 250 000. Purwokerto is also the gateway for mountaineers wanting to climb Mount Slamet, the highest volcano in Central Java.

Norbert Vas, Aston International’s VP Sales & Marketing said, “The Aston Imperium Purwokerto Hotel & Convention Center was conceptualized to become a principal hub for the regions social and commercial activities and is an important milestone for our expansion in Java which also includes the recently opened Grand Aston Yogyakarta and ongoing projects in Cirebon, Magelang, Solo, Surabaya, Malang and Jember”.

Temple Ceremony Calendar Event for January 4 through 26, 2012 4 Jan Buda Paing Wariga Merajan Pasek Gaduh Kayubihi Bangli.

7 Jan Tumpek Uduh/Pengatag Pura Puseh/Pura Desa Batuan Sukawati Pura Pasek Bendesa Kekeran Mengwi Pura Manik Mas Besakih.

8 Jan Purnama Kepitu Ngusaba Ngaed Pr. Benua - Besakih Pura Dalem Desa Camenggaon - Sukawati Pura Suranadhi Lombok Pura Narmada Lombok Pura Segara Ampenan Lombok Mr Agung Dewa Agung Klungkung Sidemen Karangasem Pura . Merajan Pasek Gelgel Ababi Mr. Pasek gelgel Tista Pura di Gunung - Tianyar Kubu - Karangasem.

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

11 Jan Buda Wage Warigadean.

Pura Kepisah Sumerta Denpasar Pura Pasek Gelgel Pura Pasek Gelgel Pura Puncaksari Penarukan Peninjoan Bangli Pura Bangun Sakti Besakih Pura Antegsari Kaba-Kaba Kediri Tabanan Pura Pesimpangan Batur Pande Kaba-Kaba Kediri Tabanan 13 Jan Sukra Umanis Warigadean Odalan Ida Ratu di Penataran Agung Besakih

Odalan Ida Ratu Puraus Merajan Salonding Besakih.

15 Jan Redite Pon Julungwangi Pura Panti Pasek Gelgel Gobleg Banjar Singaraja.

17 Jan Anggar Kasih Julungwangi Pura Tirtaharum Tegalwangi Bangli Pura Pasek Tohjiwa Wanasari Tabanan Pura Pasek Tangguntiti Jakatebel Tabanan Pura Pasek Bendesa Sangsit Buleleng Pura Dalem Waturenggong Taro Tegalalang Pura Ibu (Pura Kaja) Wanasari Selemadeg Tabanan Pura Pasek Gelgel Tulikup Pura manik Bingin Sidemen.

18 Jan Buda Umanis Julungwangi Pura Penetaran Gana Bebalang Bangli Pura Dalem Gede Banjar Pande Bangli Pura Puncaksari Sangeh Abiansemal Pura Dadia Agung Pasek Sanak Sapta Resi Sidan Gianyar Merajan Pasek Tohjiwa Jakatebel Merajan Pasek Prateka Batusesa Odalan di Mr. Jeroan Dauh Cemenggon Pr. Puseh Penegil Darma Kubutambahan Singaraja.

23 Jan Tilem Kepitu Aci Petahuan Pura Ulun Kulkul Besakih Ngusaba Buluh Pura Benua Kawasan Besakih.

26 Jan Wraspati Wage Sungsang Pura Kawitan Tangkas Kori Agung Desa Tangkas Klungkung Pr. Siang Kangin Tampuagan Tembuku Bangli Odalan Ida Ratu Mas Penataran Agung Besakih Merajan Pasek Gelgel Petemon Merajan Pasek Gelgel MelinggihGelgel Melinggih Odalan Ida Bhatara Bang Tulus Dewa Besakih

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

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

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

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

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

6

Monday, January 2, 2012

News

International

&KLOG VDFULâ&#x20AC;ŤŰ&#x2039;â&#x20AC;ŹFHG OLYHU RIIHUHG to gods: Indian police Agence France Presse

REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Malik delivers a speech during a ceremony at Al-Shaab stadium complex in Baghdad, December 31, 2011.

Iraq celebrates U.S. withdrawal Reuters

to maintain freedom and â&#x20AC;&#x153;respect political, intellectual and religious diversity.â&#x20AC;?

Earlier, thousands of Iraqis received a text message on their phones bearing the name â&#x20AC;&#x153;AL-MALIKIâ&#x20AC;? in bold letters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All of us for Iraq ...

Glory is for the people,â&#x20AC;? the message said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I congratulate you and our proud Iraqi people on this great day in history ... My love and respect to you and your families. Your brother Nuri al-Maliki.â&#x20AC;?

Hundreds of people attended the ceremony in a Baghdad sports arena usually used for basketball and volleyball, but there was no sign of Iyad Allawi, the head of the cross-sectarian Iraqiya political bloc, 2VDPD DO 1XMDLÂż WKH 6XQQL VSHDNHU of parliament or other Sunni lawmakers and rivals.

The venue was surrounded by hundreds of soldiers and police.Army helicopters hovered overhead, snipers occupiedpositionsonnearbybuildings DQG H[SORVLYHV VQLIÂżQJ GRJV FKHFNHG attendees. Malikiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s move against Hashemi, accused of running death squads, and his request to parliament to remove Deputy Prime Minister Saleh al-Mutlaq, another prominent Sunni, stirred fears of another wave of sectarian violence in Iraq.

Sunni-supported Iraqiya announced a boycott of parliament and Maliki warned he could form a majority government. Maliki did not mention the current political crisis or Hashemi by name, but said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;After today, there will be no place for those who put one foot in the political process and the other with the terrorist organizations.â&#x20AC;?

7.0 sea quake shakes Tokyo, but causes no damage Associated Press Writer

TOKYO â&#x20AC;&#x201D; A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck under the sea south of Japan on Sunday, shaking buildings in the capital but causing no apparent damage or tsunami.

The quake struck near the uninhabited island of Torishima in the 3DFLÂżF 2FHDQ DERXW NLORPHters (370 miles) south of Tokyo,

Transaction...

From page 1

%$*+'$' 3ULPH 0LQLVWHU 1XUL DO 0DOLNL GHFODUHG D QHZ GDZQ RQ 6DWXUGD\ DV ,UDT FHOHEUDWHG WKH GHSDUWXUH RI $PHULFDQ WURRSV DW D FHUHPRQ\ KHOG DPLG WLJKW VHFXULW\ DQG ZLWKRXW 0DOLNLÂśV NH\ SROLWLFDO ULYDOV ,UDT ZDV HQJXOIHG LQ LWV ZRUVW SROLWLFDO FULVLV LQ D \HDU DIWHU WKH ODVW 8 6 WURRSV OHIW RQ 'HFHPEHU ZKHQ 0DOLNL VRXJKW WKH DUUHVW RI 6XQQL 9LFH 3UHVLGHQW 7DUHT DO +DVKHPL WKUHDWHQLQJ D IUDLO FRDOLWLRQ JRYHUQPHQW RI 6XQQLV 6KLÂśLWHV DQG .XUGV Saturday marked the end of the 2008 security pact agreed by thenPresident George W. Bush and was the last day for U.S. troops to withdraw from Iraq, nearly nine years after the invasion that toppled Sunni dictator Saddam Hussein and allowed the Shiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ite majority to take power.

Except for a small military contingent attached to the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, the last of the American troops departed nearly two weeks ago. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I declare this day, the 31st of December, on which the withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq is complete, as a national day,â&#x20AC;? said Maliki in a televised ceremony, surrounded by VHFXULW\ RIÂżFLDOV LQ GUHVV XQLIRUPV â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is Iraqâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s day. It is a feast for all Iraqis. It is the dawn of a new day in Mesopotamia ... Your country is free.â&#x20AC;? Maliki said he would work

$ VHYHQ \HDU ROG ,QGLDQ JLUO ZDV PXUGHUHG LQ D WULEDO VDFULÂżFH DQG her liver offered to the gods to improve crop growth, police in the central state of Chhattisgarh said on Sunday.

The body of Lalita Tati was found in October one week after her family reported her missing. Âł$ VHYHQ \HDU ROG JLUO ZDV VDFULÂżFHG E\ WZR SHUVRQV VXSHUVWLWLRXVO\ believing that the act would give a better harvest,â&#x20AC;? Narayan Das, the police chief of Bijapur district, told AFP by telephone.

The two men was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of killing the girl and offering her liver to the gods in a grisly tribal ceremony.

Police said the men had confessed to the crime.

The girl was murdered in a jungle district of Chhattisgarh that is a stronghold of rebel Maoists who have tapped into disaffection among local tribal groups. +XPDQ VDFULÂżFHV RFFDVLRQDOO\ PDNH KHDGOLQHV LQ GHHSO\ UHOLJLRXV and superstitious India, and usually occur in poor areas where some people revere practitioners of black magic.

7ZR VXVSHFWHG FKLOG VDFULÂżFHV ZHUH UHSRUWHG LQ &KKDWWLVJDUK LQ 2010, while in the same year the decapitated body of a factory worker was found in a temple in the eastern state of West Bengal.

The victims are often ritually killed by witchdoctors to appease gods, spirits or deities.

and its epicenter was about 370 kilometers (230 miles) below the sea, the Meterological Agency said.

It did not generate a tsunami.

Buildings in the Tokyo area shook, but no damage or injuries were reported. Express trains in northern and central Japan were suspended temporarily for safety checks but later resumed.

No abnormalities were reported

at power plants, including the crippled nuclear power plant in northeast Japan hit by the March earthquake and tsunami, public broadcaster NHK reported.

A massive earthquake and tsunami March 11 left nearly 20,000 people dead or missing. Japan, ZKLFK OLHV DORQJ WKH 3DFLÂżF Âł5LQJ of Fire,â&#x20AC;? is one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most seismically active countries.

Political party as a mandate holder in recommending the ÂżJXUH VKRXOG SHUIRUP HDUO\ UHgeneration rather than pragmatic approach. Pragmatic approach was clearly legible from the ways how political parties selected and recommended their future leaders. Political parties frequently UHFRPPHQGHG D ÂľIRUHLJQÂś ÂżJXUH having no political career in particular political party. Dozens of ladybug generation and migration of political support also proved that political parties failed to establish a fundamental regeneration. As consequence, these ways would foster the power transaction making the democracy a market.

Meanwhile, a political observer, Made Suantina, said the power was indeed a target for political power. However, the power had to be achieved by an intact political consciousness, not just rhetoric. Delivery system of leaders by offering the forced leader candidates to the public, he said, posed a form of denial to democratic stage. Conversely, the public touted as determinant of political outcomes should establish awareness and sensitivity to oppose the dirty tricks in the management of democracy.

Suantina said there was a tendency where a leader born from a political process filled with transaction would engender a pragmatic ruler. In other words, when ruling he would make FRQVLGHUDWLRQV EDVHG RQ SURÂżW loss in preparing a program. In addition, the economic approach would also strengthen in the

management of the program.

Such a condition in turn would give birth to corruption, collusion and nepotism.

Meanwhile, a socio-political observer, Ngurah Karyadi, reminded of the hazardous threat caused by regeneration born from transaction and connection based on pragmatic approach. A leader engendered through this process would tend to manage the power EDVHG RQ FDOFXODWLRQ RI SURÂżW loss and cronyism approach. In other words, when such kind of leader ruled, the government policy would always be directed to perpetuate the power. Similarly, any political policy made would be directed to maintain the next power. Therefore, its policy was not purely for the public welfare. Âł,URQLFDOO\ SXEOLF RIÂżFLDOV REWDLQ ing the power from the pragmatic transaction will bring along its political carriage and colleagues to arrange the public programs.

Professionalism approach tends to be ignored,â&#x20AC;? he criticized.

He said the management patterns of political power in Bali should also be criticized by many circles. Politicians and political parties should not be allowed to make democracy a PDUNHW ÂżOOHG ZLWK IUHH SRZHU A.A. Ngurah Gede Widiada, a politician who is also Deputy Chairman of Denpasar House, said that human actually required a positive power whose implementation did not involve any physical and mental coercion. If the power practiced in terms of negative perspective, it would contain the elements of physical and mental coercion. (dir)

International

Indonesia Today

Monday, January 2, 2012

7

Camera traps capture 35 rhino in Indonesian park Associated Press

JAKARTA — Dozens of camera traps installed in an Indonesian national park earlier this year captured images of 35 critically endangered Javan rhinos, including five calves, officials said Thursday.

It’s still possible that more of the animals live in the Ujung Kulon National Park — the animal’s original habitat — said Bambang Novianto, director of biodiversity conservation at the forestry ministry.

And the presence of young ones was welcomed as a rare piece of good news for the dying species.

The Javan rhino — once the most widespread of Asian rhinoceroses — was nearly wiped out when the Krakatau volcano erupted in 1883, spawning a 120-foot (40-meter) tsunami that not only killed tens of thousands of people, but inundated the park on Java island’s western tip.

The greatest threat they face today is from poachers, habitat destruction and fierce competition for AFP PHOTO / Bay ISMOYO

Fireworks explode in downtown Jakarta’s sky during the New Year 2012 celebrations on December 31, 2011 where thousands of people gather to witness the coming of new year 2012.

Police name three suspects over kartanegara bridge collapse Antara

BALIKPAPAN - East Kalimantan police have named three people suspects over the collapse of the Kartanegara bridge last November 20 which caused the death of 24 local residents, injuries to 39 and the disappearance of 14 others.

East Kalimantan Police Chief Insp Gen Bambang Widaryatmo in a statement to the press here Saturday identified the three suspects by their initials as YS, ST, dan MSF. He refused to spell out their names but said the police would soon take them into custody while they were now already under tight surveillance.

YS was an official at the Kutai Kartanegara public works office, ST in charge of the bridge`s technical maintenance and MSF an official of PT Bukaka Teknik Utama who was the manager of the bridge`s maintenance project.

The three would be charged under articles 359 and 360 of the Criminal Code on negligence on the part of someone or a group of people that caused the death of or

injury to another person or group of persons.

“We are also investigating the possibility of corruption having been committed in the case. This investigation is being conducted by a special East Kalimantan police team,” Bambang said.

In their investigation, the police had met many difficulties as almost all the parties involved in the bridge`s construction and maintenance tried to absolve themselves of responsibility or to blame each other.

PT Bukaka, for instance, had insisted that when the bridge collapsed on Saturday Nov 26 it had not yet started the maintenance project and was only engaged in preparatory work. Police, however, found witnesses, including some

victims of the bridge collapse, as well as photos showing maintenance work was begun on November 24, Bambang said.

In their further investigation into the case, the police would work with at least five expert witnesses to gain an understanding of the entire process of the bridge`s construction, from the planning to its implementation stages, its budgeting, the construction materials used, maintenance , work assignment system and technical aspects of maintenance work.

The 720-meter-long Kartanegara bridge was built in 1995 and commissioned in 2001, Known also as Mahakam Bridge II, it connects Tenggarong city with Tenggarong Seberang in Kutai Kartanegara district.

The bridge collapsed within only 30 seconds while maintenance work was being done. Rescue teams later found 24 dead bodies in the river, while 39 people sustained injuries and 12 others have remained missing.

food with other animal species.

Experts say there may be only 40 to 60 Javan rhinos left in the wild.

The video cameras yielded 160 clips of rhinos in total, said Novianto.

“Scientists studying the images were able to identify at least 35 different rhinos — 22 males and 13 females,” he said.

The presence of at least five calves, despite harsh conditions they are facing, “raised hope for the conservation of the Javan rhinos,” added Yanto Santosa, a lecturer of biodiversity conservation and adviser to the project. It’s not clear, however, if the government will reach its target of increasing the population of Javan rhinos to 70 to 80 by 2015.

Last year, three Javan rhinos were found dead within the 297,881-acre (120,551-hectare) park, and one of them was suspected to be the victim of poachers. The last known Javan rhino in Vietnam was found dead in April, apparently after poachers killed it for its horn.

Gunmen kill three telecom workers in Aceh Agence France-Presse

BANDA ACEH - Unidentified gunmen on a motorbike shot dead three telecom workers and wounded seven others in Indonesia’s restive Aceh province, police said Sunday.

They killed the workers from Indonesia’s state-owned telecoms company PT Telkom on New Year’s Eve as they were resting in their rented house in Blang Cot Tunong village in Bireuen district, local police chief Yuri Karsono told AFP. “Three people were killed and seven had gunshot wounds. Two gunmen came on a motorcycle, one

got down and starting shooting at workers with a rifle,” he said.

“Their motive remains unclear.

We are still investigating,” he added. Despite the end in 2005 of a separatist war that claimed around 15,000 lives, Aceh still experiences sporadic low-level violence, including armed robberies and politically motivated grenade and gun attacks.

Last month, unidentified gunmen shot dead three oil palm plantation workers and wounded five others in north Aceh. Police suspected “economic motivation” behind the shooting.

President to inaugurate airport in Malang on mid January Antara

MALANG - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to inaugurate Abdurachman Saleh airport in Malang district, East Java, in mid January 2012.

Before being inaugurated, the airport, particularly its passenger terminal would have trial operation on Friday (Dec 30), Head of the East Java Provincial Transportation Office Wahid Wahyudi said.

After the airport had been inaugurated it would hopefully reduce passenger density at Juanda international airport in Surabaya, East Java, he said.

“Now Juanda airport is very crowded due to tight frequency of planes landing at the airport, namely every 1 minute and 20 seconds, with the number of passengers reaching 12 million per year,” he said.

Therefore, he added that during the trial operation which would begin on Friday morning no significant problem would happen so that the airport could be inaugurated on schedule.

“So far, some of the airport`s facilities, such as road access and departure terminal have been built, while the construction of arrival terminal and runway to cover a length of 2,250 meters from 1,985 meters previously is still underway,” he said.

8

International

Monday, January 2, 2012

Bali Today New Year Eve in Gianyar stained brawls Antara

GIANYAR - Celebration of New Year Eve 2012 in Gianyar, Bali, stained brawls between youth causes three people injured.

It was reported that the brawls involving the youth from a Banjarangkan and Banjar Guwang, Village/District Sukawati. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We get information there are three people were injured in the brawls between youth,â&#x20AC;? Chief of Police Sukawati, Commissioner I Made Witaya said.

He claimed not to know with certainty the trigger of brawls.

But injuries forced the victim was rushed to Sanglah Hospital, Denpasar, to get intensive care.

In the meantime, until today the situation remains tense in the VHFRQG URZ 3ROLFH RIÂżFHUV ZHUH DOHUWHG WR DYRLG FRQWLQXLQJ FRQĂ&#x20AC;LFW is horizontal.

Balinese people celebrated New Year with ďŹ reworks.

Celebration of New Year Eve 2012 in Gianyar, Bali, stained brawls between youth causes three people injured.

Poor Indonesian mothers turn to American midwife Agence France-Presse

VDWLVÂżHG WKDW , JDYH ELUWK WKHUH ´ The clinic is the brainchild of Robin Lim, a 55-year-old FilipinaAmerican who has made it her mission to provide free health and midwifery care to expectant mothers from Indonesiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s legions of poor. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We open 24/7, and we never turn away people. This is the place where a prostitute and a beggar can have

the same treatment as a rich person,â&#x20AC;? she said.

In many Indonesian villages, most pregnant women cannot afford the minimum one million rupiah childbirth fee levied by government hospitals, and a scheme for free births has WR EH DSSOLHG IRU LQ DGYDQFH D GLIÂżFXOW and complicated process that deters poor, uneducated people.

NYUH KUNING - When Putu Itayani came to give birth to her baby daughter last month it could have been D ÂżQDQFLDO GLVDVWHU She had to pay an Indonesian village midwife one million rupiah (about $110) when her son was born in 2009 -- the equivalent of two monthsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; wages for her print worker husband.

Her situation is typical in Indonesia, where access to healthcare is beyond many among the 240 million population, nearly half of whom live on less than $2 a day, and maternal mortality stands at 228 deaths per 100,000 live births.

But instead of having to turn to an XQTXDOLÂżHG KHOSHU RU D YLOODJH VKDPDQ Itayani was able to go to the Yayasan Bumi Sehat -- Healthy Earth Foundation -- clinic in Nyuh Kuning, near the tourist hub of Ubud on Bali. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For a poor person like me, this clinic is really a blessing,â&#x20AC;? said Itayani, 29. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They provide a great service and you only pay what you can afford, or nothing at all.â&#x20AC;?

She said she paid 100,000 rupiah AFP PHOTO / SONNY TUMBELAKA voluntarily.

This picture taken on December 18, 2011 shows US midwife â&#x20AC;&#x153;They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t complain even if you Robin Lim (C) explaining midwifery to students at the Bumi only play a small amount. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m very Sehat Foundation, or Healthy Earth Foundation in Ubud.

The result is home births with limited help, and the high death rate. â&#x20AC;&#x153;People think that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s normal to lose a mother or a child. They donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think about the suffering,â&#x20AC;? said Lim, who was born in Arizona but moved to Indonesia in 1992.

Her own sister died of complications during pregnancy in the United States, she says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The doctor didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t care for her. He never took the time and never told her that she had a high blood pressure and she died in pregnancy,â&#x20AC;? she said.

The loss left her â&#x20AC;&#x153;heartbrokenâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;shatteredâ&#x20AC;?, and determined her path in life. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every mother counts, every mother is important and every child is precious,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have to be a midwife so I can live for love everyday.â&#x20AC;?

As well as the clinic in Bali, the foundation has one in the province of Aceh, at the northern tip of the island of Sumatra.

Both opened in 2005, providing free medicine, prenatal care, birthing services and even yoga lessons to prepare expectant mothers for a comfortable and safe natural birth, and have since helped hundreds of women.

They are funded by donations from friends and family, and also provide paediatric care, as well as acupuncture and Japanese Reiki relaxation classes for the elderly.

For her efforts, Lim was this month named US cable channel CNNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;hero of the yearâ&#x20AC;?, giving her a $50,000 award and her organisation a $250,000 grant.

All she wanted was â&#x20AC;&#x153;a place where poor people can come to have their babyâ&#x20AC;?, Lim said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We need to make a more equal society, so that all mothers can live.â&#x20AC;?

First-time mother Suti, 24, said Lim constantly encouraged her during a long six hour labour before she delivered her baby girl. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was fearful because it was my ÂżUVW WLPH 5RELQ ZDV YHU\ VXSSRUWLYH and repeatedly said â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the baby is healthyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; which gave me the strength to push on,â&#x20AC;? the fruit vendor told AFP. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To me, she is the mother of all heroes.â&#x20AC;?

Lim says her work is far from done and is now planning to build a bigger clinic powered by solar energy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know when I will feel that I have done enough,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Maybe when no one loses a mother and no one loses a baby from poverty.â&#x20AC;?

International

Monday, January 2, 2012

Balinese Culture BEBEK BETUTU (Roast Duck In Banana Leaf)

Balinese women:

In devotional services through the arts Beauty can stop everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eyes Ă&#x20AC;LFNHULQJ %HDXW\ RI WKH NLG VRQJ can lullaby a baby. Similarly, beauty also can toss the imagination, soothe the mind and draw people to get near. Bali has many sources of that beauty offering the charm of nature, culture or adventure.

By maintaining traditions inspired by Hinduism, Balinese people go on running in harmony with the time. In other words, they do not feel inferior because of inheriting those traditions. Beauty in the form of various dance movements has been introduced since early ages.

On seeing a dance staged, a toddler PD\ ZDWFK LW DWWHQWLYHO\ RU LWV ÂżQgers move and move as if imitating the movement of the dance.

Virtually all customary villages in Bali have gamelan troupe. This troupe plays important role in expressing their entertainment arts and accompanying every ritual activity.

This existence gives opportunity to villagers from child to adult to express their artistic talent especially in dance, drama and gamelan arts. Young girls under twelve or elementary school age have a chance to participate in performing Rejang Dance. By wearing white and yellow costumes and Ă&#x20AC;RUDO GHFRUDWLRQ RQ KHDG WKH\ GDQFH beautifully accompanied by gamelan music. Rejang Dance is one of the sacred dances performed in relation to the organization of temple anniversary

or odalan. Other than putting a basic love to their tradition, they also show devotional service or ngatur ayah through the arts.

When they grow older, right on entering secondary school, they join customary village youth club or Sekaa Taruna. Here, with their male friends and their brothers and sisters start to learn about organization. Many things can be learned through this organizaWLRQ 6LQFH LW KDV DIÂżOLDWLRQ WR FXVWRPary village, they can learn about the making of some simple oblation under guidance of senior oblation maker and various traditional arts. In Bali, this youth club actually play important role in preparing young generation to maintain their valuable cultural heritages or to prepare themselves for inheriting customary responsibility.

With their male counterpart, here the young girls also learn to play drama or more complex traditional arts. Popular genres of performance showed are pure entertainment and the one in combination with sacred dance.

The latter usually features Calonarang.

This magical drama involves a combination of male and female players.

In essence, this Calonarang drama KLJKOLJKWV WKH HQGOHVV ÂżJKW EHWZHHQ truth and untruth symbolizing by sanctified effigies or tapakan like Rangda and Barong. By and large, it is also associated with ritual events at local temple.

In the following stage, when wom-

an gets married she will enter the new organization, namely customary village. Having learned much about ritual works, it is now the time to practice them in wider social life. They should attend some socio-religious activities when the events engage the members of customary village. At this stage, household mother can remain to show her devotional service through the arts other than social works. Through the arts, they may join the drama or individual psalmodic singing or pasantian.

How is about their private life? It is normal as others. They also have opportunity to build career in their profession. In modern life with heterogeneous professions as today, woman also works as men do. Traditions do not impede them to reach outstanding achievement in self-employee or RIÂżFH MRE ,I WKH\ ZRUN DW GD\WLPH some social works will be held at the evening.

Tradition is not something obsolete.

Even, it retains abundant inspirations to create something new and creative that is advantageous for modern life. However, traditions should also be reviewed and adjust to the current condition without leaving behind its core. Tradition does not hinder women to get their career achievement. Even, it stays to give them a channel to express their spiritual sense through devotional services. (BTN/punia)

OVERVIEW: The rich ďŹ&#x201A;avor of duck is greatly enhanced by a host of pungent roots, herbs and seasonings in this dish, which is invariably a great favorite with visitors to Bali.

The Balinese have great admiration for the duck and consider it to be a particularly strong animal as it is, like the turtle, the only one able to survive on land as water.

INGREDIENTS: 1 whole duck, weigh about 2 kg (4 ½ lb) 18 shallots, peeled, cut in half, and sliced 6 cloves garlic, peeled, cut in half, & sliced 3 stalks lemon grass, ďŹ nely sliced 5 fragrant lime leaves, ďŹ nely sliced 6 candlenuts, chopped 5 cm (2 in), ginger, peeled and chopped 8 cm (3in) fresh turmeric, peeled, chopped 8 cm (3in) kencur root, peeled, chopped 1 tsp black peppercorns, crushed 5 birdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s-eye chilies, slices 1 tsp coriander seeds, crushed 2 tsp dried shrimp paste, roasted and coarsely crushed 1½ tbsp salt 3 tbsp oil Banana leaves, greaseproof paper or aluminum foil for wrapping PREPARATION: Wipe the duck dry and set aside. Combine all ingredients except banana leafs in a bowl and mix well.

Rub the duck outside with this mixture and ďŹ ll the center of the duck with the remainder.

Close open duck with satay skewer. Wrap in several layers of banana leaves, greaseproof paper or foil and steam for 50 minutes. Transfer duck to a moderate oven and bake at 180o C (350o F) for 30 minutes.

Remove banana leaves, cut duck meat up in small pieces and serve with stufďŹ ng. When cooked, the meat should be so tender that it falls off the bones.

9

10

Monday, January 2, 2012

Destinations

International

Enjoy Beautiful Golf Experience IBP

When you visit Bali and love to do golf, you surely can try several golf courses in Bali that give you beautiful golf experience. With the international Bali Golf Course and beautiful of landscape will be your value interest to play the golf that is served in three several gold club in Bali Island.

Here are several golf courses that you should try during your holiday in Bali. Get ready to join the game and served by the professional staff and caddy will complete your lovely holiday in the Paradise Island of Bali. Golf in Bali is a fantastic and exciting golf playing experience in paradise Bali Island.

Nusa Dua Bali Golf and Country Club

Nusa Dua Bali Golf and Country Club, voted ‘One of Asia’s 5 Best Golf Courses’(Fortune Magazine - USA) will offer visitors to Bali a truly unique golfing experience due to the fantastic setting of the course.

Golfers will experience three distinct playing environments throughout

the 18-hole course. The setting of holes 1 through 9 features creeks, canyons, and native vegetation filled with tropical birds. The golf course architect team of Robin Nelson and Rodney Wright incorporated small hand-built stone walls to terrace the sides of fairways and tees in order to emulate the rice fields terraces of the Bali countryside. The setting for holes 10 through 16 present the golfer with lush gently sculptured fairways through a mature coconut grove. The coconut palms, some as tall as 100 feet, provide vertical definition to the golf course. The 17th hole plays out to the beautiful blue Indian Ocean and usually into a cool ocean breeze. The 18th hole plays from the beach back to the clubhouse along side a 16-acre lake.

and a unique world-class experience for golfers of all skill levels. The golf course that is designed by legendary golfer Greg Norman with hole 18 th is one of the most photographed and challenging golf courses in the world.

With three holes running along the cliffs of the Indian Ocean and terraced rice paddies providing unique hazards and this course has been tested the accuracy and consistency of a PGA Professional and still be enjoyable for the average golfer. It is set on the southwest coast of Bali with 45 minutes drive from Bali’s International Airport. Nirwana Bali Golf Club is the centerpiece of the fully integrated Nirwana Bali Resort. You can come and experience the ultimate golf course in Bali or you can join the Nirwana Bali Golf Package.

Nirwana Bali Golf Country Club

New Kuta Golf

Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club

Nirwana Bali Golf Country Club is a visual masterpiece of dramatic ocean views and lush Balinese landscapes. Greg Norman has designed it golf course, Nirwana Bali Golf Course offers a spectacular challenge

New Kuta Golf is a new golf course set on the 85 hectares land right on the limestone cliff with stunning view of the Indian Ocean.

It is a great golf course with 18 holes located 20 minutes drive from Bali’s

Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club is one of the golf courses located in the mountain and sightseeing area with beautiful panorama of Tamblingan Lake. It is situated in the plateau area of Bedugul Bali,

IBP/Net

International Airport to the southern part of Bali and blessed the magnificent of sunset. New Kuta Golf is designed with four of tees for each of the 18 holes there’s enough variety to ensure a satisfying for all skill levels.

The golf course will invite you to experience this championship layout firsthand to discover much more than just a golf course.

the cool temperature surrounds the golf course, and the green rain forest covers your view from the course hence making your golf experiences are more enjoyable and full fun.

The world-class of golf tournament have been executed in this place and serve with the professional staff and caddy who guide you on your lovely golf game. Bali Handara Kosaido is located about 1000 meter above sea level and 3 hours drive from Bali’s International Airport. Some of the places of interest around the golf course like Beratan Lake, Ulun Danu Temple can be visited on your way to the golf course and in our package we have provided one hour, Bedugul Tour to visit this tourist places.

LAND FOR SALE Land for sale 2 loc Beach Fr 2,7ha & 4,5ha,lngkarSlatan Mtram SHM, avail fr mall/htl/wteboomCall 08176632114

International

Monday, January 2, 2012

11

BUSINESS China moving to more convertible yuan Reuters

BEIJING - Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s central bank governor argued in comments published on Saturday that Beijing does not control the yuanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ă&#x20AC;RZ DFURVV ERUGHUV DV WLJKWO\ DV VRPH WKLQN DQG WKDW LW LV QDWXUDO IRU WKH FXUUHQF\ÂśV WUDGLQJ EDQG WR EH ZLGHQHG RYHU WLPH Zhou Xiaochuan said in an interview with Chinese magazine Caixin that China did not fare badly on an International Monetary Fund measure of currenciesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;convertibility under the capital account.

But he stopped short of calling for a fully convertible currency. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If the highest standard of measurement is to have wholly unrestricted convertibility, then so many developed countries have not achieved 100 percent full convertibility,â&#x20AC;? Zhou told the magazine.

Investors increasingly expect that China will give them more freedom to trade the tightly controlled yuan.

While the currency is already convertible under Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current account, the broadest measure of trade in goods and services, the capiWDO DFFRXQW ZKLFK PHDVXUHV LQĂ&#x20AC;RZV DQG RXWĂ&#x20AC;RZV RI GLIIHUHQW W\SHV RI capital, is still closely managed by Beijing as it worries about capital Ă&#x20AC;LJKW DQG KRW PRQH\ LQĂ&#x20AC;RZV Countries with convertible currencies under their capital account let their currencies trade with few restrictions for investment purposes.

Zhou noted China must regulate levels of foreign debt incurred by private and public sectors to reduce currency risks, monitor cross-border deals to guard against illegal activities such as money laundering, and combat speculative FDSLWDO Ă&#x20AC;RZV â&#x20AC;&#x153;Excluding the above three factors and judging from the 40 subLWHPV VHW E\ WKH ,0) \RX PD\ ÂżQG that actually China is not that far from capital account convertibility,â&#x20AC;?

Zhou said.

Still, he said Beijing would keep improving the exchange rate regime WR PDNH LW PRUH Ă&#x20AC;H[LEOH DGGLQJ LW LV QDWXUDO IRU WKH FXUUHQF\ WR Ă&#x20AC;XFWXDWH in a bigger trading band in future. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The yuanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trading band will be widened,â&#x20AC;? he said.

China currently lets the yuan trade in a 0.5 percent range, and moves to increase that band would show Beijing is gradually relaxing its control over the currency. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Compared with international markets, you may know that the 0.5 percent (daily trading band) is quite a VPDOO Ă&#x20AC;RDWLQJ EDQG ´ =KRX VDLG Investors had speculated earlier

WKLV \HDU ZKHQ &KLQD ZDV ÂżJKWLQJ WKUHH \HDU KLJK LQĂ&#x20AC;DWLRQ WKDW %HLMLQJ would widen the yuanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trading band to accelerate its rise and combat price pressures.

Instead, Beijing raised interest rates three times, moves that have produced some tentative success: Inflation eased to 4.2 percent in November, down from a 6.5 percent high in July.

Zhou acknowledged that price pressures are easing and that the job RI ÂżJKWLQJ LQĂ&#x20AC;DWLRQ LV QRW DV XUJHQW as before. But he warned against complacency. Âł,QĂ&#x20AC;DWLRQDU\ SUHVVXUH LV HDVLQJ DQG FXUELQJ LQĂ&#x20AC;DWLRQ LV QRW DV XUJHQW as in 2011,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But we should QRW ORZHU RXU JXDUG DJDLQVW LQĂ&#x20AC;DWLRQ and must appropriately manage LQĂ&#x20AC;DWLRQ H[SHFWDWLRQV ´ He said that it is difficult for China to achieve the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s DQQXDO LQĂ&#x20AC;DWLRQ FHLOLQJ RI SHUFHQW WKLV \HDU DQG KH H[SHFWV LQĂ&#x20AC;DWLRQ WR be around 5 percent this year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;China has been always having relatively big scope to adjust its monetary policy,â&#x20AC;? Zhou said when asked whether a drop in Chinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s foreign exchange purchases in recent months has given the central bank more room to adjust monetary policy.

President Hu Jintao in his televised New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s address on Saturday, said the government would continue to maintain relatively fast economic growth and manage inĂ&#x20AC;DWLRQDU\ H[SHFWDWLRQV LQ WKH \HDU ahead.

But he also warned that â&#x20AC;&#x153;uncertainty about the global economic recovery is on the rise.â&#x20AC;?

The yuan closed at a record high against the dollar on Friday, passing through resistance at 6.30 and ending 2011 with an appreciation of 4.7 percent, with traders citing signs of central bank intervention to push the yuan up at the end of the year.

The yuanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gains for the year are in line with the 4 to 5 percent traders in the onshore market had expected at the start of the year.

Traders still see the yuan appreciating in 2012 as China faces U.S. pressure to do more to rebalance bilateral and world trade, while it continues to record trade surpluses.

U.S. imposes sanctions on banks dealing with Iran Reuters

HONOLULU- President Barack Obama signed into law on Saturday a defense funding ELOO WKDW LPSRVHV VDQFWLRQV RQ Âżnancial institutions dealing with Iranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s central bank, while allowing for exemptions to avoid upsetting energy markets.

The sanctions target both private and government-controlled banks - including central banks and would take hold after a twoto six-month warning period, depending on the transactions, a senior Obama administration RIÂżFLDO VDLG Under the law, the president can move to exempt institutions LQ D FRXQWU\ WKDW KDV VLJQLÂżFDQWly reduced its dealings with Iran and in situations where a waiver is in the U.S. national security interest or otherwise necessary for energy market stability. He would need to notify Congress and waivers would be temporary, but could be extended.

Sanctioned institutions would EH IUR]HQ RXW RI 8 6 ÂżQDQFLDO markets. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our intent is to implement this law in a timed and phased approach so that we avoid repercussions to the oil market and ensure that this damages Iran and not the rest of the world,â&#x20AC;? the senior U.S. official told Reuters.

Iranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s central bank is the main conduit for Tehranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oil revenues.

Obama signed the bill during his vacation in Hawaii, just hours after Tehran said it had delayed planned long-range missile tests in the Gulf and signaled it was ready for fresh talks on its disputed nuclear program.

Senior U.S. officials said Washington was consulting with its foreign partners to ensure the new sanctions can work without harming global energy markets.

They stressed the U.S. strategy of both isolating and remaining open to engagement with Iran was unchanged.

AP Photo/Pier Paolo Cito

Musicians perform for money in downtown Rome, Friday, Dec. 30, 2011. Italy is at the focal point of the eurozoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s struggle to deal with a crisis over heavy levels of government debt in a number of the 17 countries that use the single currency. Fears of default on those debts mean that bond investors demand ever higher interest. If a country can no longer borrow affordably to pay off bonds that are maturing, it winds up needing a bailout or defaulting.

Obama did not single out Iran sanctions in his statement released by the White House, but did express concern about a number of provisions in the defense bill that relate to the treatment and transfer of detainees. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The fact that I support this bill as a whole does not mean I agree with everything in it,â&#x20AC;? Obama said, suggesting limits on the ability to move terrorism suspects from the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo Cuba to the United States for trial or to a foreign country were ill-conceived. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The executive branch must KDYH WKH Ă&#x20AC;H[LELOLW\ WR DFW VZLIWO\ in conducting negotiations with foreign countries regarding the circumstances of detainee transfers,â&#x20AC;? he said, also calling federal courts â&#x20AC;&#x153;legitimate, effective and powerfulâ&#x20AC;? means by which to prosecute some militants.

Reuters reported this week that the Obama administration is considering transferring to Afghan custody a Taliban official suspected of major human rights

abuses as part of a long-shot bid to improve the prospects for a peace deal in Afghanistan, a move that has set off alarm bells on Capitol Hill.

Obama also raised concerns in the statement about a requirement that he must notify Congress before sharing any FODVVLÂżHG 8 6 EDOOLVWLF GHIHQVH missile information with Russia.

In his statement, he said he intended to keep Congress informed of U.S.-Russia cooperation on ballistic missile defense, he would interpret the rule in a way that does not limit his ability to conduct foreign affairs â&#x20AC;&#x153;and avoids the undue disclosure of sensitive diplomatic communications.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Should any application of WKHVH SURYLVLRQV FRQĂ&#x20AC;LFW ZLWK my constitutional authorities, I will treat the provisions as non-binding,â&#x20AC;? he said, referring to a number of sections of the defense bill, which is more than 500 pages long.

12

Entertainment

Monday, January 2, 2012

International

:LQIUH\ 'HGLFDWHG to OWN despite URFN\ ‫ۋ‬UVW \HDU Associated Press Writer

AP Photo/Paramount Pictures, David James, FILE

FILE- In this file image released by Paramount Pictures, Tom Cruise plays Ethan Hunt, left, Paula Patton plays Jane, Simon Pegg plays Benji, and Jeremy Renner plays Brandt, right, in a scene from “Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol.”

%R[ 2I‫ۋ‬FH 3UHYLHZ ¶0 , · WR WRZHU RYHU RWKHUV Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES — The final box office weekend of 2011 should be led by Tom Cruise in “Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol,” with a not impossible domestic gross near $35 million for the four-day New Year’s weekend.

The Paramount film led the Christmas weekend after its limited debut in IMAX gave it a big marketing boost, and this week’s midweek numbers indicate audience interest is holding, with a total North American gross of about $130 million expected by Monday night.

Warner Bros.’ “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,” starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, will enter its third weekend after

crossing the $100 million mark on Wednesday, and clues point to another $25 million for the long holiday weekend.

Fox’s “Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked” should have a chipper third weekend in the low $20 million range as families enjoy the last of the holidays together before it’s back to school. By Monday night, the little rodents should have munched a total of about $90 million.

Sony’s thriller “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” the second film adaptation of the hugely popular mystery novel by Stieg Larsson, hacked $20 million from audiences over the extended Christmas holiday and enters New Year’s weekend with a potential gross in the mid- to high-teens.

Disney’s “War Horse” opened Christmas Day with $7.5 million and will now stretch its legs over a full holiday weekend with a likely gross in the $15 million range. The Steven Spielberg film is based on the 1982 children’s novel and the 2007 stage adaptation, and has received two Golden Globe nominations, including for best picture.

LOS ANGELES — Oprah Winfrey earned the rare opportunity to convert her media charisma into a monogramed TV channel. Now she’s the one tasked with rescuing OWN, the Oprah Winfrey Network, after a disappointing first year. It’s a high-stakes, potentially egoshattering challenge that could make the strongest woman or man flinch. But win or lose, Winfrey says she relishes the fight to turn OWN’s fortunes around.

“Yes, some mistakes were made. Who hasn’t made mistakes? The real beauty is you can say, ‘I learned from that,’” Winfrey said. “I don’t worry about failure. I worry about, ‘Did I do all I could do?’”

The cable channel, which marks its first year Jan. 1, is trying for a fresh start after executive turnover and missteps that proved O W N lacked a solid foundation on which to build, this despite a

Discovery Communications investment of a reported $250 million and counting.

Viewers snubbed the lineup that skimped on programming and, surprisingly, what should have been OWN’s unique weapon of choice: Winfrey herself, whose limited on-air presence will be boosted Sunday with a new weekly series, “Oprah’s Next Chapter.”

OWN has failed to improve on, or in some instances even match, the modest ratings and small audience earned by the low-profile Discovery Health channel it replaced.

“I would absolutely say it is and was not where I want it to be for year one,” Winfrey said. “My focus up until (last) May was doing what I do best, which is ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show,’ and giving that my full attention” until its conclusion.

But Winfrey, who said management team errors in planning and execution could serve as a cautionary tale (“I was never interested in writing a book. ... THIS could be a book”), rejects the idea that a single year’s performance will determine OWN’s ultimate fate. Or hers.

U2 has the edge: Band had 2011’s highest-grossing tour Reuters

REUTERS/Henry Romero

Bono (L) and Adam Clayton of Irish band U2 perform during their first concert at Azteca stadium in Mexico City May 11, 2011.

LOS ANGELES - U2 is No. 1 when it comes to touring. The band had the highest-grossing tour both in North America and worldwide in 2011. Bono, the Edge and company grossed $156 million in North America on the strength of 1.7 million tickets sold, according to Pollstar, which covers the concert industry. They grossed $231.9 million worldwide off 2.39 million tickets.

Rounding out the top five highestgrossing touring acts in North Ameri-

ca were Taylor Swift ($97.7 million), Kenny Chesney ($84.6 million), Lady Gaga ($63.7 million) and Bon Jovi ($57.1 million).

As for the worldwide top five, U2 were followed by the reunited Take That ($224 million), Bon Jovi ($148.8 million), Swift ($104.2 million) and Roger Waters ($103.6 million). Tickets on U2’s 360 Degrees tour sold for an average of $97.15 worldwide and $91.67 in North America.

The year’s top 25 biggest tours grossed a combined $2.1 billion

worldwide, which is roughly the same as in 2010. In North America, there was a 4 percent dip among the top 25, which grossed $1.19 billion.

Still, the entire concert industry had a 15 percent increase in ticket sales compared with 2010, despite 20 percent fewer reported shows, according to Billboard.

U2’s success in 2011 was bolstered by the rescheduling of postponed concert dates from 2010 due to a back injury frontman Bono suffered that year.

Science

International

Monday, January 2, 2012

13

NASA probe circling the moon on New Year’s Eve Associated Press Writer

PASADENA, California — As planet Earth rang in the new year, a different kind of countdown was happening at the moon. After a 3½-month journey, a NASA spacecraft flew over the moon’s south pole, fired its engine and dropped into orbit Saturday in the first of two back-to-back arrivals over the New Year’s weekend.

Mission control at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory erupted in cheers and applause after receiving confirmation that the probe was healthy and circling the moon. An engineer was seen on closed-circuit television blowing a noisemaker to herald the New Year’s Eve arrival.

“Everything went just as we hoped.

AP Photo/NASA, Jet Propulsion Laboratory The burn was spot-on,” chief scientist This undated artist rendering provided by NASA on Dec. Maria Zuber of the Massachusetts 21,2011 shows the twin Grail spacecraft mapping the lunar Institute of Technology said in a postgravity field. The two probes are scheduled to enter orbit around mission interview with The Associated the moon over New Year’s weekend.

Press. The team toasted sparkling

cider, but the celebration was brief.

Despite the successful maneuver, the work was not over. Its twin still had to enter lunar orbit on New Year’s Day. The Grail probes — short for Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory — have been cruising independently toward their destination since launching in September aboard the same rocket on a mission to measure lunar gravity.

Hours before revelers in Times Square celebrated the New Year, Grail-A approached the moon and fired its engine for about 40 minutes to get captured into orbit. Deep space antennas in the California desert and Madrid tracked every move and fed real-time updates to ground controllers About 270 family members and friends of the mission team descended on the NASA campus to watch the drama unfold on a live feed. “This is great, a big relief,” deputy project

scientist Sami Asmar told the jubilant crowd.

Grail is the 110th mission to target the moon since the dawn of the Space Age including the six Apollo moon landings that put 12 astronauts on the surface. Despite the attention the moon has received, scientists don’t know everything about Earth’s nearest neighbor.

Why the moon is ever so slightly lopsided with the far side more mountainous than the side that always faces Earth remains a mystery. A theory put forth earlier this year suggested that Earth once had two moons that collided early in the solar system’s history, producing the hummocky region.

Grail is expected to help researchers better understand why the moon is asymmetrical and how it formed by mapping the uneven lunar gravity field that will indicate what’s below the surface.

0DQ GLHV IURP ELUG ‫ی‬X LQ VRXWKHUQ &KLQD Agence France Presse

A bus driver in southern China who contracted the bird flu virus died Saturday, health authorities said, in the nation’s first reported human case of the deadly disease in 18 months. The man, surnamed Chen, died in Shenzhen -- a boomtown that borders Hong Kong where thousands of chickens have already been culled after three birds

tested positive for the H5N1 avian influenza virus in mid-December.

He developed a fever on December 21 and was taken to hospital four days later, and diagnosed with severe pneumonia, said the health department in Shenzhen, a city of more than 10 million people. The 39-year-old then tested positive for the H5N1 virus, the department said, adding he had apparently had no direct contact with poultry in the

IBP/afp

A pigeon flies over Hong Kong. A bus driver in southern China who contracted the bird flu virus has died, health authorities say, in the nation’s first reported human case of the deadly disease in 18 months

month before he was taken ill, nor had he left the city.

The H5N1 virus is fatal in humans in about 60 percent of cases.

However, it does not pass easily among humans, and the World Health Organization says it has never identified a “sustained human-to-human spread” of the virus since it re-emerged in 2003.

The health department in Guangdong province, where Shenzhen is located, announced Saturday that the bus driver died after his lung, heart and liver functions deteriorated. “So far, 120 people who have had close contact with him have not presented abnormal symptoms,” it said in a statement.

An official at the Shenzhen agriculture and fisheries bureau, surnamed Jiang, told AFP the bus driver had had no contact with birds. “So far, we have not received any reports of any birds being infected,” he said.

“It is unclear where the patient got the flu from. We will not make any plans to kill domestic birds unless we know that was the source, or if there is any sign of birds being infected.” Chinese and Hong Kong authorities have been working closely together since December 21 after live poultry supplies were suspended to the glitzy financial hub following the discovery of infected birds.

A spokesman for the Hong Kong health department said in a statement authorities would heighten their vigilance “and continue to maintain stringent port health measures in connection with this development”.

AFP Photo/Mychele Daniau

A Swedish woman who lost her wedding ring 16 years ago was flabbergasted when she found it again, around a carrot growing in her garden, media have reported.

6ZHGLVK ZRPDQ ‫ۋ‬QGV wedding ring after 16 years, on a carrot Agence France Presse

A Swedish woman who lost her wedding ring 16 years ago was flabbergasted when she found it again, around a carrot growing in her garden, media reported Saturday.

Lena Paahlsson had taken off the white gold ring before a Christmas baking session with her daughters in 1995, but it had disappeared from the kitchen counter where she placed it.

After looking everywhere, and even pulling up floorboards in the search, Paahlsson and her family, who live on a farm in northern Sweden, had given up on seeing the ring again, she told

the Dagens Nyheter daily.

That was until October this year, when she was picking the last carrots in her garden and suddenly found one with her ring glimmering around it.

The family thinks the ring must have fallen into the sink back in 1995 and been mixed with potato peels that were composted or fed to the sheep, since all the soil in the garden comes from composted vegetables and sheep dung. The ring no longer fits Paahlsson, but she told Dagens Nyheter she plans to have it enlarged. “I had given up hope. Now that I have found the ring again ... I want to be able to use it,” she said.

14

Sport

Monday, January 2, 2012

Blackburn Roversâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Ayegbeni Yakubu, center right, is congratulated by teammates after scoring against Manchester United during their English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester, England, Saturday Dec. 31, 2011.

AP Photo/Jon Super

Blackburn shock United, Spurs and Chelsea slip up Reuters

MANCHESTER - Manchester United wasted the chance to start the New Year at the top of the Premier League when they suffered a shock 3-2 home defeat by struggling Blackburn Rovers on Saturday. With leaders Manchester City not playing until Sunday, United went 2-0 down after two goals by Yakubu Aiyegbeni. Dimitar Berbatov scored twice to bring the champions level before Grant Hanleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 80th-minute winner stunned Old Trafford.

City were the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s big winners as the chasing pack dropped points, Chelsea losing 3-1 at home to Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur conceding a late goal to draw 1-1 at Swansea City. Arsenal jumped above Chelsea into fourth place after Robin van Persie netted his 35th league goal of the calendar year in a 1-0 win at home to Queens Park Rangers.

United have 45 points from 19 games and trail City on goal difference before Roberto Manciniâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side travel to Sunderland. Spurs are third with 39 points, having played one game fewer than United, while Arsenal have 36 and Chelsea 34.

Obviously itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a disappointment ... we never expected that,â&#x20AC;? United manager Alex Ferguson told ESPN television. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We lost two terrible goals, you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do that in games like this.â&#x20AC;?

There had been a party atmosphere in the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s early match at Old Trafford as the crowd sang â&#x20AC;&#x153;Happy Birthdayâ&#x20AC;? to the 70-yearold Ferguson but the mood soured in the 16th minute when Berbatov grabbed Rovers defender Chris Sambaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shirt and pulled him down.

Referee Mike Dean pointed to the spot and Yakubu sent keeper David de Gea the wrong way. As if WR SURYH LW ZDV QR Ă&#x20AC;XNH <DNXEX H[tended Blackburnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lead six minutes after the break when he shrugged off challenges by Phil Jones and makeshift centre back Michael Carrick to shoot past De Gea.

Blackburn fans were still celebrating the goal when Berbatov headed in Rafaelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mis-hit shot to raise hopes of a United comeback.

BELOW-STRENGTH SIDE

The Bulgarian striker, who hit ÂżYH JRDOV LQ WKLV Âż[WXUH ODVW VHDVRQ found the net again just after the hour when he turned in an Antonio 9DOHQFLD FURVV 8QLWHG ÂżHOGLQJ D below-strength side due to injuULHV EXW ZHOFRPLQJ EDFN ÂżW DJDLQ midfielder Anderson, continued to press forward before a blunder

by De Gea destroyed his teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s revival.

The Spanish keeper came out to meet a Morten Gamst Pedersen corner but Hanley beat him to it and the 20-year-old defender headed in to lift Blackburn off the bottom of the table to 19th. With news of Unitedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defeat known before the other games kicked off, Spurs and Chelsea had every incentive to capitalise on the slipup by Fergusonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s team.

Spurs went ahead at Swansea through Rafael van der Vaartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 44th-minute effort before visiting keeper Brad Friedel failed to hold Angel Rangelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cross and Scott Sinclair equalised in the 84th.

Chelsea also went in front at Stamford Bridge, striker Didier Drogba notching his 150th goal for the club with a 23rd-minute SHQDOW\ EXW 9LOOD HTXDOLVHG ÂżYH minutes later through Stephen Ireland. Substitute Fernando Torres

hit the bar for the Londoners before Villa struck twice in three minutes through Stilian Petrov and Darren %HQW ODWH LQ WKH PDWFK WR LQĂ&#x20AC;LFW D ÂżIWK OHDJXH GHIHDW RI WKH VHDVRQ on Chelsea. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We ended up paying a high price for a couple of mistakes,â&#x20AC;? said Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas. The defeat allowed Arsenal to jump into the top four as the leagueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading scorer Van Persie netted his 17th goal of the season with a low shot on the hour against QPR. The Dutchman thereby broke Frenchman Thierry Henryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Arsenal record of 34 goals in a calendar year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is absolutely outstanding, Robin has had an exceptional season,â&#x20AC;? said manager Arsene Wenger.

New York Red Bulls striker Henry was watching from the stands while he waits for paperwork to be completed before he can start a two-month loan deal with his former club. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know insurance-wise if the deal is done or not but we have to wait as well for international clearance so he will certainly not be available at Fulham (on Monday) but maybe has a chance to be available against Leeds in the FA Cup on Jan. 9,â&#x20AC;? Wenger said.

Elsewhere, Stoke City drew 2-2 at home to Wigan Athletic, Norwich City scored in stoppage time to draw 1-1 with Fulham and bottom club Bolton Wanderers were held 1-1 at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

International

Drogbaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 150th goal in vain for Chelsea Reuters

LONDON - Didier Drogba cemented his name in Chelsea folklore with his 150th goal for the club on Saturday but it was not enough to prevent a 3-1 home defeat by Aston Villa in the Premier League. The 33-year-old strikerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 23rd-minute spot kick helped the Ivory Coast international join Stamford Bridge greats Peter Osgood and Roy Bentley on 150 goals.

Drogba scored from the penalty spot where the late Osgoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ashes are buried and after converting his kick he pointed to the spot, waved at the crowd and blew a kiss. Only Frank Lampard (178), Kerry Dixon (193) and Bobby Tambling (202) have scored more goals for the Londoners. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was an emotional goal for Didier and might be his last home appearance before next monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s African Nations Cup,â&#x20AC;? manager Andre Villas-Boas told reporters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will try our hardest for him to be available for the Portsmouth game (in the FA Cup on Jan. 8).â&#x20AC;?

Before the match with Villa, the superstitious Drogba said his 150th goal could be a late â&#x20AC;&#x153;Christmas present for the fansâ&#x20AC;? but defeat left Chelsea supporters fuming, with jeers echoing around Stamford Bridge DIWHU WKH ÂżQDO ZKLVWOH &KHOVHDÂśV WLWOH KRSHV QRZ VHHP RYHU DIWHU WKH\ GURSSHG WR ÂżIWK LQ WKH WDEOH SRLQWV DGULIW RI OHDGHUV 0DQFKHVWHU City.

Drogbaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future at Stamford Bridge is also uncertain after VillasBoas said talks over a contract extension had not been resolved.

Villas-Boas added the player was free to talk to other clubs in January because his contract was due to run out at the end of the season.

Drogba, who joined Chelsea from Olympique Marseille for a fee of 24 million pounds ($37.54 million) in 2004, has won three Premier League titles at the club. He has twice been voted Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s player of the year.

AP Photo/Bogdan Maran

Chelseaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Didier Drogba is celebrating after scoring from the penalty spot against Aston Villa, during their English Premier League soccer match at the Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011.

Sport

International

Monday, January 2, 2012

15

Bynum powers Lakers past Nuggets Reuters

&HQWHU $QGUHZ %\QXP VFRUHG SRLQWV LQ KLV ÂżUVW JDPH RI WKH VHDVRQ DIWHU VHUYLQJ D VXVSHQVLRQ as the Los Angeles Lakers came from behind to beat the Denver Nuggets 92-89 on Saturday. ByQXPÂśV OD\XS VHQW WKH /DNHUV DKHDG ZLWK WR SOD\ DV WKH\ SRZHUHG SDVW 'HQYHUÂśV ÂżYH SRLQW fourth-quarter lead.

He had been suspended for the first four games of the shortened NBA season because of a flagrant foul against Dallas in the Western Conference playoffs last season.

Bynum had been originally suspended for five games but that was reduced because of the shortened schedule.

The big man also had 13 rebounds and two blocked shots as new coach Mike Brownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coaching style suited his play. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for me a lot and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a focal point early in the offense,â&#x20AC;? Bynum told reporters. But he paid a price in the early going, he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was winded like crazy today,â&#x20AC;? the out-of-shape Bynum said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;First game ... I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t breathe in the ÂżUVW VL[ PLQXWHV ´ %XW HYHQ LI KH ZDV winded, his domination inside was

too much for the Nuggets to handle. â&#x20AC;&#x153;His power around the basket, we havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seen it yet,â&#x20AC;? Denver coach George Karl told reporters. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have to make some adjustments on him, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no question.â&#x20AC;?

Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol each added 17 points for the Lakers, who had started the season 0-2 but have now won three successive games. Al Harrington led the Nuggets with 21 points. The Nuggets had an 85-80 lead after Harringtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s three-pointer with five minutes to play.

But the Lakers pulled even at 89-89 on Bryantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two free throws after Derek Fisherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hustle to save the ball after missing a threepointer. Then Bynum blocked Nene Hilarioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s layup attempt and got the go-ahead basket.

Meanwhile, Denver was drawing blanks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We get three layups and a couple free throws in the last three minutes of the game and we miss all of them,â&#x20AC;? Karl said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We gave them too much hope, from Bynum and that loose ball from Fisher, and we never got that defensive confidence because we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t rebound the ball.â&#x20AC;?

Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson, center, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum, left, and forward Pau Gasol, of Spain, defend during the second half of their NBA basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 92-89.

Murray hires Lendl as full-time coach Agence France Presse

World number four Andy Murray appointed Czech legend Ivan Lendl as his full-time coach on Saturday.

Murray has been working without a permanent coach since March, when he parted company with Alex Corretja, but he will join forces with Lendl immediately in the build-up to Januaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Australian Open.

Lendlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s appointment suggests Murray is determined to do everything possible to end his long wait for a first Grand Slam title.

The 24-year-old has lost three Grand Slam finals and, although he reached the semi-finals of all four Grand Slams last season, he is still searching for his first title at one of the majors.

Lendl, 51, knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level, having won eight Grand Slam crowns during his illustrious career, and Murray believes the 51-year-oldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wealth of experience will be a significant asset. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ivanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impact on the game is unquestionable and he brings experience and knowledge that few others have, particularly in major

AP Photo/dapd, Thomas Lohnes

FILE - In this May 20, 2011 file photo Czech-born tennis legend Ivan Lendl poses in Frankfurt, Germany to promote the tennis tournament â&#x20AC;&#x153;Cup of Legendsâ&#x20AC;?. tournaments,â&#x20AC;? Murray said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was important to me that any new person joining my team was able to add fresh insight. I look forward to working with him going forward.â&#x20AC;?

Murray will start his 2012 season with a first-round match against Kazakhstanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mikhail Kukushkin at the Brisbane International on Tuesday.

In a statement released through Murrayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s management company, Lendl said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am really excited to have the opportunity to work with Andy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He is a unique talent and I look forward to trying to help him reach his goals.â&#x20AC;?

After a disappointing series of defeats following his Australian Open final loss to Novak Djokovic this year, Murray finished the campaign in fine form, lifting titles in Bangkok, Tokyo and Shanghai during a 17-match winning run.

But the Grand Slam prize continues to elude him and he hopes Lendlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presence will play dividends in 2012, especially with the Olympics also taking place in London in the summer.

Simon Fuller, Murrayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manager and business partner, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Andyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s achievements in 2011 have demonstrated the quality of his game. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Having a champion like Lendl join his team will help him achieve his ultimate ambitions.â&#x20AC;?

AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

Atleticoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reyes asks for move back to Sevilla Reuters

MADRID - Winger Jose Antonio Reyes has told Atletico Madridâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new coach Diego Simeone he wants to return to his boyhood club Sevilla.

The 27-year-old former Arsenal player, a Seville native, told As sports daily on Sunday he had decided to leave even though Simeone was counting on him and added that his fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health had been a factor in his decision to seek a move. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sevilla are giving me the chance to return home,â&#x20AC;? Reyes said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an option I have on the table which might never come along again and I want to make the most of it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They operated on my father a few weeks ago and the best thing for everyone is to go back. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I always wanted to return to Sevilla, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an exciting goal for me to return to the team that gave me the chance to become a professional.â&#x20AC;?

Local media have reported that Sevilla will pay Atletico 3.5 million euros ($4.5 million) to take Reyes back. He left the Andalusian club for Arsenal in 2004 for a fee of some 17 million pounds ($26.4 million), a club record for the English Premier League side at the time.

However, he struggled to adapt to life away from home and was loaned to Real Madrid two years later before signing for Atletico in 2007.

He has clashed with several coaches, most recently Atleticoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gregorio Manzano, who was sacked last month and replaced by former Argentina captain Simeone. Reyes made 21 appearances for Spain, scoring four goals, and last played for the world and European champions in August 2006.

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Monday, January 2, 2012

Nicky Hayden injured in training accident Nicky Hayden’s participation in the first MotoGP test of 2012 is in doubt after the American was injured while training in Kentucky. Hayden was riding a bike for the first time since he broke his scaphoid at the Valencia Grand Prix in November when he crashed with another rider and landed on his shoulder.

The American broke his left scapula and fractured two ribs. Ducati said there are no plans for surgery at the moment, but Hayden will have the scapula reassessed next week to check its progress.

The next few weeks will determine whether he will take part in the first winter test of 2012, which will begin on January 31 at Sepang.

“Obviously, injuries are never good,” Hayden said, “but it’s part of motorcycle racing. Just like at Valencia, it was kind of a freak accident. I was starting to train again, like I normally do during the winter, at a private track near my house.

“I came up behind another rider, and he went to move out of the way. I wasn’t going that fast, but he clipped my front wheel and I went down and landed pretty hard on my left shoulder, and that was it.

“It’s disappointing, but there’s nothing to do about it but heal quickly. Anyway, this doesn’t change my expectations for 2012 which, fortunately, is just around the corner.”

Head steps down from Williams board Reuters

LONDON - Williams co-founder Patrick Head stepped down from the Formula One team’s board on Saturday after 34 years with the former champions. Williams said in a statement that Head, 65, would remain a board director of Williams Hybrid Power, a subsidiary that develops flywheel technology for broader commercial use in buses and trains.

“Patrick and I have been in partnership for 34 years. During that time, he has been the leader of the technical team that has won the majority of our race wins and championships,” said team principal Frank Williams. “This is a remarkable legacy and one which will be treasured and definitely not forgotten.

“Patrick is a very straightforward, hard working and truly gifted engineer who comfortably operates at a world class level. I will miss him very much,

as I am sure his colleagues will, and he will always be welcome at Grove.”

Head founded the team in 1977 with Frank Williams and, as technical director and head of engineering, helped them win 113 grands prix, nine constructors’ championships and seven drivers’ titles between 1980 and 1997.

The team, who last won a race in 2004, is listed as Williams Grand Prix Holdings after an initial public share offer in Frankfurt in March. Head sold more than half of his shares in Williams earlier in the year, netting more than $50 million.

He told Reuters at last month’s season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix that he was ending his active involvement in the F1 team. Last season was Williams’ worst in the sport, with just five points from 19 races and ninth place in the constructors’ standings.

“I certainly didn’t have an ambition to stop my involvement in Formula One with a season like this last one we’ve had behind us,” he said at Interlagos.

“But when I have a look at what specifically I can do to assist (technical director) Mike Coughlan and (Chief Operations Officer) Mark Gillan and (Head of Aerodynamics) Jason Somerville, I came to the conclusion that it isn’t really enough to justify me carrying on doing the same thing.”