Edisi 28 Desember 2012 | International Bali Post

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Friday, December 28, 2012

Private picture of Mark Zuckerberg’s family leaked Associated Press Writer

SEATTLE — Even Mark Zuckerberg’s family can get tripped up by Facebook’s privacy settings. A picture that Zuckerberg’s sister posted on her personal Facebook profile was seen by a marketing director, who then posted the picture to Twitter and her more than 40,000 followers Wednesday. That didn’t sit well with Zuckerberg’s sister, Randi, who tweeted at Callie Schweitzer that the picture was meant for friends only and that posting the private picture on Twitter was “way uncool.” Schweitzer replied by saying the picture popped up on her Facebook news feed. The picture shows four people standing around a kitchen staring at their phones with their mouths open while Mark Zuckerberg is in the background. Randi Zuckerberg, who used to run Facebook’s marketing department and now produces a reality television show, eventually said Schweitzer was able to see the picture because they had a mutual friend. Those tweets have since been taken down.

Schweitzer declined to comment when reached by The Associated Press. Randi Zuckerberg didn’t reply to a message via Twitter seeking comment. Randi Zuckerberg used the dustup to write about online sharing etiquette. “Digital etiquette: always ask permission before posting a friend’s photo publicly. It’s not about privacy settings, it’s about human decency,” she posted on Twitter. But Randi Zuckerberg’s comments sparked sharp reactions from people who thought the issue wasn’t about etiquette, but rather Facebook’s often changing and often confusing privacy settings. “The thing that bugged me about Randi Zuckerberg’s response is that she

used her name as a bludgeoning device. Not everyone has that. She used her position to get it taken it down,” said Eva Galperin of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a privacy advocacy group in San Francisco. While Facebook has made improvements in explaining the social network’s privacy settings, Galperin said they remain confusing to most people. She added that with people using Facebook as part of their everyday lives, the consequences of fumbling privacy settings can become serious. “Even Randi Zuckerberg can get it wrong. That’s an illustration of how confusing they can be,” she said. The Menlo Park, California, company recently announced it is changing its privacy settings with the aim of making it easier for users to navigate them. The fine-tuning will include several revisions that will start rolling out to Facebook’s more than 1 billion users during the next few weeks and continue into early next year.

Jay Chou raps about a corrupt eunuch

Associated Press Writer

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan’s pop king Jay Chou has played roles as varied as superhero, vampire and cowboy. So his latest album about an influential but corrupt court eunuch may not sound all that odd to his fans. In “Gong Gong with A Headache” released Thursday, Chou raps about the eunuch who has a secret passion for women but “must not touch them.” ‘’Gong Gong” is a name for court eunuchs in China. In the music video, Chou dances stiffly like a zombie to the tune of hip hop, dressed in satin imperial court costume. The singer also wrote the song. He says he was inspired by the popular drama series “The Legend of Zhen Huan” and other court dramas that have captivated audiences in China and Taiwan.

AP Photo/Wally Santana

Taiwan performer Jay Chou speaks during a press conference announcing his new CD “Opus 12” in Taipei, Taiwan, Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012.

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Friday, December 28, 2012

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Man Utd win sevengoal thriller while Man City lose

New turmoil hits Egypt’s tourism

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Bali Big Sale inside get Discount Up to

50%

Bali tourism marginalizes Balinese people AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File

FILE - In this Oct. 4, 2011 file photo, Randi Zuckerberg, former marketing director of Facebook and founder of RtoZ Media, speaks at the Executive Marketing Summit in New York.

IBP/Yudi Karnaedi

Tourists playing kite surfing in Tanjung Benoa, Bali Island. Tourism sector is the locomotive of Bali’s economy. However, the growth of tourism sector accompanied with proliferation of tourism accommodation facilities, especially hotels with various types, has caused decline in the environmental carrying capacity and the image of tourism itself. Bali Post

DENPASAR - Tourism sector is the locomotive of Bali’s economy. However, the growth of tourism sector accompanied with proliferation of tourism accommodation facilities, especially hotels with various types, has caused decline in the environmental carrying capacity and the image of tourism itself. In Badung, the government plans a control and arrangement of tourist accommodation facilities claimed to suppress the land conversion rate and achieve the quality and sustainable tourism. Inevitably, this policy invites pros and cons from various circles. Some agree, but a few others consider the policy has not touched the essence of tourism issues in Badung in particular and Bali in general. It was revealed in a limited roundtable discussion entitled ‘Moratorium vs. Imperium’ held by Bali Travel News, Bali Post Media Group, on Wednesday (Dec 26) at the Inna Grand Bali Beach. The discussion was attended by the Head of Tourism and Creative Economy Resources Development Agency, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy I Gde Pitana, Badung legislator Putu Parwata, Chairman of the Indonesia Tourism Industry Association (GIPI) of Bali Ngurah Wijaya, Director of STP Nusa Dua Bali I Nyoman Madiun, as well as tourism observer and practitioner Hery Angligan and Wayan Duartha. Putu Parwata said that basically all parties

seriously built the sustainable tourism considering that tourism had supported the community’s economy. Unfortunately, each party had a different perspective, even of the opposite. Parwata judged in the era of globalization, the market could not be dammed. Supply and demand was very dependent on market condition and so was the need for tourist accommodation facility. Construction of the accommodation facilities would lead to excessive saturation, especially if without accompanied with the increase in the quality of objects and tourist attraction as happened today. “If compared to Singapore also lying on a bijou island, 2.7 million tourist visits to Bali is still far from expectation. So, aside from arranging

the accommodation, there are more important things for us namely arranging the tourist objects and attractions, including the completion of infrastructure and effective promotion,” he said. Hery Angligan suggested that government should involve a variety of elements, especially the tourism actors in making policy. The moratorium plan closing the opportunity of budget hotels, he said, had a very contradictory dualism. On the one hand, the government wanted to open up the market and boost tourist arrivals. But on the other hand, it even wanted to control and tended to close the coming of investment. Not all quality hotels had a good impact on the community. He said that five-star hotels even tended to have no direct impact on the community, unlike hotels under five-star category or small hotels. “If we try to raise the quality, the community may lose its positive impact. Establishment of small hotels actually had broader impact on the community. Indeed, the opportunity for establishment of small hotels should consider the demand and rules,” he said. Gde Pitana said the market could not be closed. Basically, the market would automatically find out its own segment. He said Bali should be grateful to backpackers (tourists with limited budget). They were the pioneers

of tourism in Bali. Closing the investment opportunity for budget hotels would eliminate the chance of backpackers to enjoy Bali. This former Chairman of the Bali Government Tourism Office tended to impose the moratorium restrictedly to certain areas on the basis of Spatial Planning. It was based on the reason that tourist arrival growth should still be pursued as more tourists would give more opportunities. On the other hand, the quality of environment had also to be taken into account. Another important thing needed carrying out this time, according to him, was that local government should make regulation setting forth the tourist accommodation that did not monopolize the existing tourist attraction. He emphasized lest the hotels provided all the needs of travelers. Tourists should be give freedom to look for their own needs, so that distribution of economic growth could be realized in Bali. Nyoman Madiun also agreed to the restricted moratorium as described by Pitana. Moratorium was fine provided that it was poised with expansion to untouched areas. He said that tourists coming to Bali should be given opportunities to grow naturally because Bali did not only belong to qualified travelers. Government, he said, was too scared and focused on the demand. (kmb25)

International

Friday, December 28, 2012

Bali News

Rubbishes blocked drainage

Water overloaded tourism site road Gianyar (Bali Post)-

The infrastructure towards Sebatu-Taro tourist object, Tegallalang, Gianyar, was damaged due to rubbishes blocking drainage causing its water overloaded, eroding the roads, as seen last Wednesday (26/12). Those reaching the elephant tracking tourist object had to be careful and patience especially in the heavy rain as many holes are around. This was later admitted by Sebatu Village Head, Wayan Pasek Subawa, who stated that there are several roads in Taro and Sebatu Village experiencing severe damages yet in the same time a lot of residents still throw rubbishes to the drainages therefore he suggested not to. It is hoped that the Gianyar Regency Government will be able to aid the roads’ damages so no one should be worried crossing the Sebatu-Taro road that’s connecting the two villages. (kmb16)

IBP/File

The burning landfill in Mandung Hamlet, Tabanan is seen on the picture

Landfill fire spreads, flames approach warehouse Tabanan (Bali Post)—

Fire at landfill of Mandung hamlet, Sembunggede village, Kerambitan, was getting more alarming. Having been extinguished on Tuesday afternoon (Dec 25), the flames re-emerged on Wednesday (Dec 26). More hazardously, the flames were approaching the landfill warehouse. To avoid casualties, three units of fire trucks were deployed to location. As on previous day, the flames appeared exactly at noon. Initially, they originated from only little smokes on the stack at the east. Since the weather was getting hotter, the flames enlarged right away. Smokes continued to rise and spread to the south. Their position was just a few meters from the landfill warehouse. “The flames re-emerged and led to the warehouse. We deployed three units of fire trucks to deal with them,” said Chief of Tabanan Fire Brigade, Suardi. Position of the flames on the steep cliffs

made the officers difficult to put them out. They could just be extinguished a few hours later. However, the smokes continued. According to Suardi, the flames were difficult to put out because of thick piles of rubbish. Though having been flushed with water, the puff of smokes continued, but was not as much as the amount before being extinguished. The Head and Tabanan Sanitation and Landscaping Agency (DKP), Gusti Ngurah Supanji, explained the successive flames

were sparked by mounting heaps of rubbish and the hot weather. As a result, the smokes emerged from inside the rubbish heaps and triggered the flames. To stop the flames, his party would flatten the rubbish pile to the east. “If the flames can be extinguished, we will flatten it to hoard up the abyss. Therefore, the heaps will not be too high,” said Supanji last Wednesday. After leveling the rubbish, the DKP would bring in land to backfill and cover it. According to Supanji, the backfill had been ready to be taken to landfill. However, it could not be undertaken because the hotspots were still emerging. “We’ll wait until the flames are completely extinguished and then we backfill them,” said the former Tabanan Subdistrict Head. He also hoped it would rain heavily so that the flames quickly went out. (kmb30)

Gianyar facing difficulties on population growth control Gianyar (Bali Post)

Gianyar Regency Government seemed to have been facing difficulties every year especially on the population growth control and that Family Planning (KB) seemed not to have helped it. As data received on Wednesday (26/12), the growth per year in Gianyar reached 1.4 percent while its growth control program from central and province government is still below standard yet with the condition that is happening in the small Gianyar, this growth will cause a social affect. As noted at the Gianyar Civil Notes Agency, Gianyar population has reached 511,284 people where in 2009 it was 491,310 people. This growth seemed to have been a good opportunity for the politics where Gianyar Election Office can propose another 5 chairs from 40 for Gianyar Regency House of Representatives this coming Legislative Election year 2014. Head of PP and KB Gianyar, Ir. Made Wisnu Wijaya, admitted it has been hard to control the growth as this has been a global problem. The number of Gianyar Population is still under the number of population growth provincial and nationally. Besides that technically in socializing KB to the residents workers employed are still less where ideally one village has one yet now only 44 for 70 villages. The KB program has been applied in order to control population growth as it is proven by the award given by central government and it seemed the population growth happened due to a lot of non residents coming to Gianyar. (kmb16)

 Founder : K.Nadha,  General Manager :Palgunadi Chief Editor: Diah Dewi Juniarti  Editors: Gugiek Savindra,Alit Susrini, Alit Sumertha, Daniel Fajry, Mawa, Sri Hartini, Suana, Sueca, Sugiartha, Yudi Winanto Denpasar: Dira Arsana, Giriana Saputra, Subrata, Sumatika, Asmara Putra. Bangli: Pujawan, Buleleng: Adnyana, Gianyar: Agung Dharmada, Karangasem: Budana, Klungkung: Bali Putra Ariawan. Jakarta: Nikson, Hardianto, Ade Irawan. NTB: Agus Talino, Izzul Khairi, Raka Akriyani. Surabaya: Bambang Wilianto.  Development: Alit Purnata, Mas Ruscitadewi.  Office: Jalan Kepundung 67 A Denpasar 80232. Telephone (0361)225764, Facsimile: 227418, P.O.Box: 3010 Denpasar 80001. Bali Post Jakarta, Advertizing: Jl.Palmerah Barat 21F. Telp 021-5357602, Facsimile: 021-5357605 Jakarta Pusat. NTB: Jalam Bangau No. 15 Cakranegara Telp. (0370) 639543, Facsimile: (0370) 628257. Publisher: PT Bali Post

Destination

International

Friday, December 28, 2012

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Humanity Tragedy Monument IBP

KUTA - This monument was built to remind us of a terrible incident, namely the bomb blast in Kuta Bali on Saturday night October 12, 2002 on Jalan Legian Kuta. It caused death toll as many as 202 people from 22 countries and 324 people suffered from serious injuries and wounds. Such very powerful bomb blast also caused damage to buildings and vehicles within a radius of one kilometer. Since the tragedy, tourism industry as the backbone of Bali’s economy suffered the most serious slump in the history, but thanks to the persistence of the whole society and government, now slowly but surely it has now undergone at restoration. The monument itself was established in the former area of explosion (Ground Zero). Most prominent part of the monument is Kayonan with a large white wooden leaf symbolizing the universe and its contents. At the bottom of this kayonan, there are inscription of `victims’ name list that died in the incident and their nationality.

IBP/File Photo

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Calendar Event for December 12 through December 27, 2012 12 Des B uda Keliwon Ugu Pura Dalem Tarukan Banjar Pulasari Desa Peninjoan Tembuku - Bangli Pura Pasek Gelgel Boading Kaba-kaba Tabanan Pura Pemayun Banyuning Tengah - Buleleng Pura Desa Kayangan Tiga Desa Bubunan S eririt - Buleleng Pura Agung Gunung Raung Banjar Taro Kaja T aro - Tegalalang Merajan Pasek Dangka Bungbungan 22 Des H ari Tumpek Wayang Pura Majapahit Jembrana Odalan Betara ratu Gede Celuk Sukawati Odalan Betara Ratu Wedyadari Camenggaon Sukawati Pura Panti Gelgel Pengembungan Sesetan Denpasar Betara Ratu Alit dan Ratu Lingsir Singakerta Ubud Pura Pedarmaan Dalem Sukawati Besakih Pura Pedarmaan Mengwi Besakih Pura Pedarmaan Kaba-kaba Besakih Pura Pedarmaan dalem Bakas Besakih Pura Dadia Agung Pasek Gelgel Pegatepan Gelgel Klungkung Pura Pemrajan Agung Sulang Kec Dawan Klungkung

Merajan Pasek Bendesa Kori Agung Pengatepan Pura Pedarmaan Dinasti dalem sri Aji Kresna Kepakisan Pura Besakih (Dalem Klungkung) Pura Penataran Giri Purwa dan Pesraman Dusun Kuto Rejo Kendal Rejo Tegal Delimo Banyuangi 26 Des Buda Wage Kelawu Pura Penataran Agung Teluk Padang Karangasem Pura Melanting Desa Camenggaon Sukawati Pura Penataran Ped Nusa Penida Pura Pasek Gelgel Pangembungan Bongkase Abiansemal Pura Pasek Bendesa Reyang Gede Penebel Tabanan Pura Pasek Gelgel Br. Jawa Tengah Buleleng Pura Gaduhan Jagat Desa Singakerta Ubud Pura Masceti Tegeh Mancawarna Sanding Tampaksiring Pura Penataran Batu Lepang Kamasan Klungkung Pura Paibon Pasek Gelgel Gobleg Desa Kedonganan Kuta Pura Goa Besakih Pura Basukian Besakih

Penataran Agung Besakih Merajan Pasek Gelgel Pejeng Merajan Pasek Gelgel Songan Merajan Pasek Prateka Pekandelan Sidemen Merajan Pasek Prateka Taman Sari Sukasada Pura dadia Pasek Gelgel Sidemen Karangasem Merajan Pasek Gelgel Tampuagan, Tembuku, Bangli 27 Des Purnama Kepitu Pr. Benua Besakih. Pura Dalem Desa Camenggaon Sukawati Pura Suranadhi Lombok Pura Narmada Lombok Pura Segara Ampenan Lombok Mr Agung Dewa Agung Klungkung Ulah Sidemen Pura Gunungrene Sidemen - Karangasem. Merajan Pasek Gelgel Ababi Mr. Pasek gelgel Tista Pura Gunung Gunung - Tianyar - Kubu - Karangasem Pura Pingit Klenting sari Banjar Sumberkelompok - Gerokgak - Singaraja Pura Payogan Agung Kutai Kartanegara

Balinese Temple Ceremony Every Temple and Shrine has a special date for it annual Ceremony, or “ Odalan “, every 210 days according to Balinese calendar, including the smaller ancestral shrine which each family possesses. Because of this practically every few days a ceremony of festival of some kind takes place in some Village in Bali. There are also times when the entire island celebrated the same Holiday, such as at Galungan, Kuningan, Nyepi day, Saraswati day, Tumpek Landep day, Pagerwesi day, Tumpek Wayang day etc. The dedication or inauguration day of a Temple is considered its birth day and celebration always takes place on the same day if the wuku or 210 day calendar is used. When new moon is used then the celebration always happens on new moon or full moon. The day of course can differ the religious celebration of a temple lasts at least one full day with some temple celebrating for three days while the celebration of Besakih temple, the Mother Temple, is never less than 7 days and most of the time it lasts for 11 days, depending on the importance of the occasion. The celebration is very colorful. The shrine are dressed with pieces of cloths and sometimes with brocade, sailings, decorations of carved wood and sometimes painted with gold and Chinese coins, very beautifully arranged, are hung in the four corners of the shrine. In front of shrine are placed red, white or black umbrellas depending which Gods are worshipped in the shrines. In front of important shrine one sees, besides these umbrellas soars, tridents and other weapons, the “umbulumbul”, long flags, all these are prerogatives or attributes of Holiness. In front of the Temple gate put up “Penjor”, long bamboo poles, decorated beautifully ornaments of young coconut leaves, rice and other products of the land. Most beautiful to see are the girls in their colorful attire, carrying offerings, arrangements of all kinds fruits and colored cakes, to the Temple. Every visitor admires the grace with which the carry their load on their heads.

Bali News

International

Friday, December 21, 2012

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Unique Ritual in Puseh Temple of Pasedahan Customary Village

IBP/File Photo

The Indonesian Seaweed Association (ARLI) urged the government to set up a zonal arrangement between the activities of tourism and seaweed farming, especially in the area of Geger Beach, Nusa Dua.

Geger Beach targeted by investors, seaweed farmers increasingly in a bind

The procession of Usabha Sambah ritual in the Puseh and Desa Temple of Pasedahan customary village, Manggis subdistrict, Karangasem, is absolutely unique. Aside from implementing the Melasti procession to Sengkidu Beach by carrying 28 sanctified effigies, the ritual taking place for five days was also filled with the magibung local tradition or enjoying shared meal and nyambutin or a ritual for welcoming a baby. Melasti is a procession to purify the sanctified effigies carried out by the whole local community. It was also accompanied with mapeed procession (traditional fashion) conducted by young girls walking hand in hand in Balinese traditional attires as far as 5 km. Started from the front row bringing long pennants, the row of sampyan and ritual paraphernalia and weapons of deities in the nine directions made the procession look so grandiose. When getting to Sengkidu, the residents spontaneously performed a dance while stabbing their chest by kris dagger in front of the sanctified effigies. Besides, the residents also danced the Rejang Lilit, Pendet, Sramanan and Wawalen. The ritual was then concluded by closing ritual marked with the disposal of the Sambah paraphernalia. The chief of customary village, I Ketut Gede Artana, accompanied by the temple priest Jro Mangku I Nengah Sujati said the deity Sambah enthroned during the temple anniversary in the Puseh Temple symbolized the grace of natural fertility. According to local communities of Pasedahan customary village, the Usabha Sambah ritual was interpreted as a momentous moment for deities to bestow their bounties. More interestingly, in the implementation of Nyambutin was presented pajegan ritual paraphernalia. Young generation of Pasedahan customary village both staying at home and outside the village were obliged to participate in the activities. It is a ritual tradition inherited from generation to generation intended to welcome the presence and rebirth in order they could perfect themselves as human being of God. (IBP/BTN)

Bali Post

DENPASAR - The Indonesian Seaweed Association (ARLI) urged the government to set up a zonal arrangement between the activities of tourism and seaweed farming, especially in the area of Geger Beach, Nusa Dua. According to Chairman of the ARLI, Safari Azis, in a press release, revealed the effort was made to preserve the seaweed in the area, considering the development of tourism had made various activities of seaweed farming less conducive. He said that seaweed was first cultivated in Bali about 30 years ago on Terora Beach, Nusa Dua. However, along with the development of tourism, the region was no longer conducive to seaweed farming activities so that it was relocated to Geger Beach. “Within the past few years, the tourism development on Geger Beach became more intense, ranging from the construction of hotels to other tourism facilities. This threatens the seaweed farming in the area. From originally 100 families cultivating the seaweed, now they only leave 30 families,” he said. According to him, so far the seaweed farmers were prohibited by certain parties to perform their activities such as drying seaweed on the beach and asked to demolish

the storage of dried seaweed with compensation of IDR 2 million per family. “They also promised to be hired as hotel employees. In reality, not all of them could work in the sector due to constraints of age, education and skills,” he said. Now, added Safari, the 30 families of seaweed farmers had to find out a place for drying seaweed located far away. Consequently, the seaweed production much reduced. He also regretted the constraints because the seaweed farming previously could help the economy of coastal communities. “We do hope there is a spatial planning set forth by government so that there is distinction between the tourism and seaweed farming areas. It needs reconsidering due to seaweed farming could actually be a part of tourism in Bali. Even, it can ward off the

abrasion and clean up water on the beach,” he explained. In this case, the ARLI asked the government to provide a guarantee for seaweed farmers in order they could constantly do their seaweed farming activities. “We expect there will be no more evictions instead of market guarantee that can absorb their seaweed,” he hoped. His party would be signing a memorandum of understanding with Bali seaweed farmer group to work together and carry out the data and information exchange about the quality and price of seaweed, both in domestic and international markets. Aside from helping farmers develop the export-oriented seaweed, Safari confessed that at the moment the ARLI heavily encouraged the market guarantee for seaweed farmers. (kmb28)

IBP/File Photo

The procession of Usabha Sambah ritual in the Puseh and Desa Temple of Pasedahan customary village, Manggis subdistrict, Karangasem, is absolutely unique.

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Bali News

Friday, December 28, 2012

International

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Three bodies vanish

RLD

Avalanche at cemetery of Pacung increases

IBP/File

The avelanche which happen on Pacung, Baturiti, Tabanan.

AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File

FILE - In this Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012 file photo, Tourists ride in horse carriages past one of the Great Pyramids in Giza, Egypt. The past month saw a drop in tourists to Egypt, scared off by scenes of protests and clashes over the constitution, in new pain to a crucial industry gutted the past two years by turmoil.

The fireworks in the center of Denpasar during last year’s celebration.

IBP/File

Firecrackers and fireworks not ‘cultivated’ culture

FIRECRACKERS and fireworks now seem inseparable from the Christmas and New Year celebration whereas both can be hazardous to people who play them, even other people nearby. It remains fresh in our memory on the celebration of New Year 2012 recording five victims of firecrackers and fireworks rushed to Sanglah Hospital and another to Wangaya Hospital. One of them even suffered severe injuries in the right eye. Reflecting from such experience, Bali Police have issued a ban some time ago on the sale of firecrackers. While the sales of fireworks are still allowed, but people must follow the applicable licensing procedures or be prepared to be imprisoned if caught illegally. “The fireworks allowed to be sold are only those with a diameter of less than 2 inches with explosive content of no more than 20 grams,” affirmed Sindar Sinaga, Section Head of Administration Services, Directorate of Intelligence of Bali Police. The authorities also banned the sale of fireworks on sidewalks and enforced a scrutiny for it. The tasks of the authorities would not be successful without the help of all elements of the community, notably the customary village. The action of banning the use of firecrackers and fireworks of large size was just applied temporarily at customary villages across Denpasar. It was intended to create a sense of security during the New Year celebration.

Serangan customary village, for instance, had socialized the decision of the Denpasar Customary Village Medium Assembly and Meeting of the Customary Village Chief of Denpasar City related to the ban. At least, 30 personnel of local pecalang or customary security officer were alerted to discipline the use of firecrackers and fireworks, including the security on the New Year’s Eve. “If there are people found to infringe, we only give moral sanction in the form of advice. However, we believe people can accept it because so far the response is very positive on the socialization,” said Made Mudana Wiguna, Serangan Customary Village Chief. Mudana claimed that Serangan customary village actually had imposed a similar ban last year. As a result, the celebration of New Year’s Eve took place safely without casualties. Meanwhile, Padangsambian Kelod village remains unable to coordinate because the village is quite unique, where its administrative village belongs to Denpasar

Municipality, while customary village belongs to Badung County. As a result, this village should make coordination with both parties before issuing the ban and impose sanctions. “But since last year, we have owned a bylaw prohibiting the use of firecrackers and fireworks. We will impose a firm action to those found to sell them by closing the stores and forcibly take the firecrackers and fireworks,” said I Made Sutarka, Headman of Padangsambian Kelod. The bylaw had been recognized to be sufficiently potent to reduce the distribution of firecrackers and fireworks. Thus, compared to previous celebrations, the moment of New Year this time seemed less festive. Denpasar and Badung seemed had different policy. The Badung municipal police (Satpol PP) objected to decision of police authority that still allowed a number of stores to sell fireworks and the like. “Police authority becoming the leading sector should be equally consistent to ban all the stores from selling fireworks and the like,” affirmed Ketut Martha, Head of Badung Municipal Police. He admitted to find difficulty while raiding in the field because some stores had a permit, so that there were people who had firecrackers and fireworks.

New turmoil hits Egypt’s tourism Associated Press

CAIRO — At Egypt’s Pyramids, the desperation of vendors to sell can be a little frightening for some tourists. Young men descend on any car with foreigners in it blocks before it reaches the more than 4,500 year-old Wonder of the World. They bang on car doors and hoods, some waving the sticks and whips they use for driving camels, demanding the tourists come to their shop or ride their camel or just give money. In the southern city of Aswan, tour operator Ashraf Ibrahim was recently taking a group to a historic mosque when a mob of angry horse carriage drivers trapped them inside, trying to force them to take rides. The drivers told Ibrahim to steer business their way in the future or else they’d burn

his tourist buses, he said. Egypt’s touts have always been aggressive — but they’re more desperate than ever after nearly two years of devastation in the tourism industry, a pillar of the economy. December, traditionally the start of Egypt’s peak season, has brought new

pain. Many foreigners stayed away because of the televised scenes of protests and clashes on the streets of Cairo in the battle over a controversial constitution. Arrivals this month were down 40 percent from November, according to airport officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information. Tourism workers have little hope that things will get better now that the constitution came into effect this week after a nationwide referendum. The power struggle between Islamist President Mohammed Morsi and the opposition threatens to erupt at any time into more unrest in the streets.

BEIJING — China has opened the world’s longest high-speed rail line, which more than halves the time required to travel from the country’s capital in the north to Guangzhou, an economic hub in southern China. Wednesday’s opening of the 2,298 kilometer (1,428 mile)-line was commemorated by the 9 a.m. departure of a train from Beijing for Guangzhou. Another train left Guangzhou for Beijing an hour later. China has massive resources and considerable prestige invested in its showcase high-speed railways program. But it has in recent months faced high-profile problems: part of a line collapsed in central China after heavy rains in March, while a bullet train crash in the summer of 2011 killed 40 people. The former railway minister, who spearheaded the bullet train’s construction, and the ministry’s chief engineer, were detained in an unrelated corruption investigation

months before the crash. Trains on the latest high-speed line will initially run at 300 kph (186 mph) with a total travel time of about eight hours. Before, the fastest time between the two cities by train was more than 20 hours. The line also makes stops in major cities along the way, including provincial capitals Shijiazhuang, Wuhan and Changsha. More than 150 pairs of highspeed trains will run on the new line every day, the official Xinhua News Agency said, citing the Ministry of Railways. Rail is an essential part in China’s transportation system, and the government plans to build a grid of high-speed railways with four east-west lines and four north-south lines by 2020. The opening of the new line brings the total distance covered by China’s high-speed railway system to more than 9,300 km (5,800 miles) — about half its 2015 target of 18,000 km.

AP Photo/Xinhua, Wang Xiao

In this photo released by China’s Xinhua news agency, a high-speed train G802 leaves for Beijing from Shijiazhuang, capital of north China’s Hebei Province, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012.

India rape victim in Singapore, PM pledges action Associated Press Writer

AP Photo/Wong Maye-E

An ambulance is parked outside the Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore Thursday, Dec. 27, 2012. A young woman who was gangraped and assaulted on a moving bus in the Indian capital was flown Thursday to the Singapore hospital for treatment of severe internal injuries that could last several weeks, officials said.

NEW DELHI — Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged Thursday to take action to protect the nation’s women while the young victim of a gang rape on a New Delhi bus was flown to Singapore for treatment of severe internal injuries. The Dec. 16 rape and brutal beating of the 23-year-old student triggered widespread protests in New Delhi and other parts of India demanding a government crackdown on the daily harassment Indian women face, ranging from groping to severe violence. Some protesters have called for the death penalty or castration for rapists, who under current laws face a maximum punishment of life imprisonment. Rape victims rarely press charges because of social stigma and fear they will be accused of inviting

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World’s longest fast train line opens in China Associated Press Writer

Tabanan (Bali Post)—

The avalanche afflicting to cemetery of Pacung customary hamlet, Baturiti village, on Tuesday night (Dec 25) increased. There were two points of severe avalanche. Three skeleton bodies were ensured to float off due to such incident. They were right on the edge of ravine. The remaining was only the fabrics used to wrap the bodies. Certainty of the loss of the three bodies was justified by Chief of Pacung customary village, Made Mundro. Having been examined, according to him, there were three locations of grave that were floated off and the bodies were also missing. “We have checked the avalanched cemetery. Meanwhile, three bodies are confirmed to have been swept away by the avalanche,” he said amidst the inspection to avalanched cemetery on Wednesday (Dec 26). The bodies carried by the avalanche aged a few years. So, they were ascertained to only leave a skeleton. Even, condition of the eroded coffins was damaged. They only scattered debris of wood and white fabrics. This man explained the bodies washed away could possibly increase because a number of graves over the ravine were eroded by avalanche. Due to difficult terrain, people could not examine the location at the floor of avalanched ravine. As planned, local residents would hold penglebah ritual and look for the bodies estimated to have been washed away. “At the bottom of the ravine lie some old graveyards. We will check whether they are still intact or have been washed away,” affirmed Mundro. To prevent subsequent avalanche, residents put up a pile of sand bags along the cemetery. This measure was to reduce the water flow when it rained again. Thus, the water could not penetrate the cemetery. Besides, the drain near the cemetery would also be dredged so that if it rained the water would not stagnate. According to Mundro, his party had long concerned about the avalanche incident as position of the cemetery was quite hazardous. It was located on roadside with a ravine of nearly 20 meters deep. If it rained, the overflowing water from the road always led to the cemetery. He hoped the county government could lend a hand to make revetment. Meanwhile, three other graves eroded by the avalanche had not been evacuated. The raised coffins were clearly visible from outside. Such a scene drew the attention of local residents. From the morning, they continued to come for a closer look. The cemetery of Pacung customary village avalanched on Tuesday (Dec 25) around 5:00 p.m. Initially, people only saw three graves being eroded. Having been checked again, there were actually three bodies stated to be washed away. The three graves whose coffin lifted aged averagely 3 months and two years. Because they were new, the coffins were still intact and visible. Persistent bad weather caused local customary villagers to worry about the coming of subsequent avalanche. (kmb30)

Friday, December 28, 2012

the attack. Many women say they structure their lives around protecting themselves and their daughters from attack. Singh’s government set up two committees in response to the protests. One, looking into speeding up sexual assault trials, has already received 6,100 email suggestions. The second will examine what lapses might have contributed to the rape — which took place on a moving bus that passed through police checkpoints — and suggest measures to improve women’s safety. “Let me state categorically that the issue of safety and security of women is of the highest concern to our government,” Singh told a development meeting. He urged officials in India’s states to pay special attention to the problem. “There can be no meaningful

development without the active participation of half the population, and this participation simply cannot take place if their security and safety is not assured,” he said. The victim of the gang rape arrived in Singapore on an air ambulance Thursday and was admitted in “extremely critical condition,” to the intensive care unit” of the Mount Elizabeth hospital, renowned for multi-organ transplant facilities, the hospital said in a statement. India’s Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said in a statement that the government, which is overseeing her treatment and paying the costs, had decided to send her abroad on the recommendation of her doctors here. “Despite the best efforts of our doctors, the victim continues to be critical and her fluctuating health remains a big cause of concern to all of us,” he said.

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Friday, December 28, 2012

International

Friday, December 28, 2012

5

BUSINESS

Human rights violations by the state decreasing

Obama, Congress in last push to avert ‘cliff’

Antara

JAKARTA - Indonesian Constitutional Court (MK) Chairman Mahfud MD has stated that human rights violations by the state have drastically reduced since the reform era.

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama and members of Congress prepared for one last try to avert acrossthe-board tax increases and spending cuts known as the fiscal cliff, as the U.S. Treasury Department warned that it will begin taking action to prevent the government from hitting its debt limit. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said Wednesday in a letter to congressional leaders that the department will use accounting measures to save approximately $200 billion. That could keep the government from reaching the debt limit — which is embroiled in the fiscal cliff talks — for about two months. The move comes as Obama and the Republican congressional leadership resume negotiations that hit a stalemate last week over how to avoid the fast approaching fiscal cliff, which some economists warn could cause another recession after it takes effect in the new year. Obama decided to cut short his Hawaii vacation for an overnight flight expected to get him back to the White House on Thursday. But Congressional officials said Wednesday they knew of no significant strides toward a compromise over a long Christmas weekend, and no negotiations have been set. Obama has sought to include an increase in the borrowing limit in the talks. But House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner and other Republican leaders have demanded concessions in return. The Senate is due in session Thursday, although the immediate agenda includes other matters. The House has no plans to convene, following last week’s rebellion in which conservatives torpedoed Boehner’s legislation to prevent scheduled tax increases on most, while letting them take effect on million-dollar wage earners. Obama insists that no tax cuts be extended for anyone earning over $400,000 per year. Geithner said the negotiations over tax and spending policies make it difficult to predict how long he can delay reaching the borrowing limit. The absence of a specific timeframe may be intended to pressure Republicans to allow a debt limit increase in a potential budget deal. For now, Treasury will take several steps to delay reaching the limit. Geithner said it will stop selling Treasury securities used by state and local governments to support their own sales of tax-exempt bonds. That will keep the department from accumulating more debt. And the department will stop investing in government retirement funds.

AP Photo/Kyodo News

In this Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012 photo, Toyota Motor Corp. President Akio Toyoda smiles as he shows a remodeled Crown sedan in Tokyo. Toyota expects to sell a record 9.7 million vehicles this year, bouncing back by 22 percent from a disaster-struck 2011.

Toyota plans to sell 9.7 million vehicles in 2012 Associated Press

TOKYO — Toyota expects to sell a record 9.7 million vehicles this year, bouncing back by 22 percent from a disaster-struck 2011. It has set an even higher target of 9.91 million vehicles for 2013. The numbers released this week underline Toyota Motor Corp.’s solid turnaround from supply disruptions caused by the earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan in 2011 that had hurt global production and sales. They also underline the Japanese automaker’s ambitions to move past the woes from massive recalls that began in 2009, especially in North America. On Wednesday, Toyota said it reached a settlement of more than $1 billion to resolve hundreds of lawsuits from Toyota owners who said the value of their cars and trucks plunged after the recalls involving unintended acceleration problems in Toyota vehicles. Under the settlement, which still needs approval from a U.S. district judge, Toyota will offer cash payments to people who sold vehicles or turned in leased vehicles between September 2009 and December 2010. It will also retrofit about 3.2 million vehicles with a brake override system, which ensures a stop when the brakes

are applied even if the gas pedal is depressed. Toyota, which makes the Prius hybrid, Camry sedan and Lexus luxury models, recalled more than 14 million vehicles in 2009 and 2010 worldwide over a variety of defects, including faulty floor mats, sticky gas pedals and braking problems. Before those safety lapses, which damaged its once pristine reputation for quality, and the financial crisis that hurt overall auto sales in 2008, Toyota had been targeting global vehicles sales of 10 million vehicles. The latest target shows Toyota is well on track toward reaching its goal. Toyota is also likely to regain its crown as the world’s No. 1 automaker this calendar year, dethroning General Motors Co. of the U.S. Toyota sales have been roaring back in recent months, not only in the U.S. market but also in emerging markets such as Indonesia. Another sign of Toyota’s determination to put its woes behind it is the record $17.4 million fine it paid earlier this month, as ordered by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, for failing to quickly report floor mat problems with some of its Lexus models. That follows $48.8 million in fines Toyota paid for three

violations in 2010. But Toyota officials have said the latest fine is not an admission of a defect but a demonstration of its desire to get on with business and avoid prolonged litigation. The company has instituted more careful product development and empowered regional units to respond to complaints and to deal more quickly with quality problems. The one key market where Toyota has suffered sales declines recently is China, where a territorial dispute flared up earlier this year and set off widespread anti-Japanese sentiment, riots and boycotts. Wednesday’s settlement did not include claims by people who seek compensation for injury and death due to so-called sudden acceleration. The first trial in those lawsuits is set for February. “Toyota wants to put its unintended acceleration recalls behind, once and for all, and, as costly as it might be, this settlement will allow them to remove most of the lingering financial uncertainty,” said Jesse Toprak, auto analyst with TrueCar.com. “Toyota’s outstanding performance this year is a proof that consumer sentiment for the company’s products has already recovered to a degree as if nothing ever happened,” he said.

“Now, such violations of human rights occur only sporadically and on a small scale, usually committed by the regional apparatus,” he said here on Wednesday. Mahfud made the statement while speaking at a discussion entitled “The Reflection and Evaluation of Law Enforcement and Human Rights in 2012”. The discussion took place at the executive board office of the Islamicbased United Development Party (PPP) here. “Prior to the reform era, Indonesia was busy lobbying foreign countries to

help it avoid a United Nations (UN) trial in connection with human rights violations. Currently, such things no longer happen,” Mahfud pointed out. “Although instances of human rights violations by the state have drastically reduced, we still have frequent cases of human rights abuse during communal conflicts,” he noted. “What is emerging now is the problem of intolerance among groups,” Mahfud added. The discussion was also attended by the deputy chairman of United Development Party (PPP), Lukman Hakim Saifuddin.

Poso police seek reinforcements Antara

PALU - The Central Sulawesi regional police command has sought an extra 200 security personnel to back up its forces in Poso because of increased security threats in the district. “I have already made the request and I hope the additional personnel will soon be dispatched,” the command`s chief, Brigadier General Dewa Parsana, said here on Wednesday. He stated that some 1,000 police personnel had already been deployed in Poso to ensure security in the region, including 120 personnel from the Mobile Brigade headquarters in Kelapa Dua. “However, we now need more security personnel in view of the rising security threats in the district,” Parsana added. A home-made bomb, weighing around five kilograms, was found recently near a security post in Jalan Pulau Sumatra. However, the bomb was found and defused by the police. Earlier, on December 20, four members of the Mobile Brigade were

shot dead by a group of unidentified gunmen in the village of Kalora, Poso. “During the 2005-11 period, some 800 personnel from various regions in the country were sent to work with the Central Sulawesi police command as order and security development officers as part of an effort to improve the security situation in the district,” Parsana pointed out. “They have been returned to their respective units and, therefore, we now need more personnel,” he explained. “The National Police Headquarters has not set me any deadline with regard to solving the cases of violence that happened in Poso,” Parsana said. He noted that it could take a long time to resolve the cases, which would also require the cooperation of community members. “A certain group has long held a wrong ideology and it has the capability to replace its cadres who are caught or killed by security forces. So, it will take a long time to resolve this issue,” Parsana added.

AP Photo/Heri Juanda

An Acehnese woman sprinkles flowers on a mass grave during a prayer commemorating the 8th anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami in Banda Aceh, Aceh province, Indonesia, Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012. The disaster killed more than 100,000 people in the province.

Five prosecutors fired in 2012 Antara

JAKARTA - The attorney general office said five prosecutors and administrative employee of prosecutor office were dishonorably dismissed in 2012 from their position as civil servants for certain offenses. Attorney General Basrief Arief said altogether there were 188 prosecutors and 109 administrative employees were given disciplinary sanctions.

Among the prosecutors is Cirus Sinaga fired for graft in a high profile corruption cases of Gayus Tambunan, a former tax official. Cirus Sinaga, who shot to prominence after demanding a death sentence for a former chief of the Corruption Eradication Commission, is now serving jail term for the offense. Basrief said there were also 14 prosecutors and eight ad-

ministrative employees have their ranks reduced for certain offenses. He said 18 other prosecutors were moved to other position one level lower. “Altogether there were 62 prosecutor having heavy,” he said. He said he is set to improve the performance of the prosecution office and will act firmly against naughty prosecutors.

encourage the realization of a code of conduct for the settlement of conflicts. “All leaders in Southeast Asia have agreed on the declaration of conduct for security in the South China Sea. But that is not enough as what is really needed is a code of conduct in settling conflicts,” he said. The code of conduct, he said, was aimed at preventing any eventuality in case military forces were deployed to the region. “The code of conducts among others calls against

involvement of a military force in the settlement of conflicts,” he said. Admiral Agus Suhartono said that although Indonesia is not one of the claimants of parts of the region, but the country needs to take an active role to assure maintenance of security in the region. “Although situation in the South China Sea is escalating, the Indonesian Navy would not send reinforcements to the area as present forces operating there have been considered sufficient,” he said.

Indonesia supports security in South China Sea

Antara

SURABAYA - Indonesia keeps condcuting diplomacy with various countries especially in Southeast Asia to assure security in the South China Sea, Commander of Indonesian Armed Forces, Admiral Agus Suhartono, said here on Thursday. When met by reporters after leading a ceremony to mark the handing over of the post of navy chief of staff from Admiral Soeparno to Vice Admiral Marsetio, he said that the diplomacy was aimed to

10

Friday, December 28, 2012

Sport

International

Sports

International

Spurs show no mercy against injury-depleted Raptors

AP Photo/Bahram Mark Sobhani

San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, right, of Argentina, drives against Toronto Raptors forward Amir Johnson during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012, in San Antonio.

7

Champion Celtic surges 7 points clear in SPL

Reuters

The San Antonio Spurs took advantage of Toronto’s injury woes to snap the Raptors’ five-game winning streak with a 100-80 home victory on Wednesday. San Antonio used a balanced attack, with all 12 of their players registering points, to systematically break down the visiting Raptors and ended Toronto’s longest winning run of the season. Tim Duncan led the way with 15 points, Manu Ginobili added 14 off the bench and the Spurs (22-8) stretched their Southwest Division lead to two games over Memphis. None of Toronto’s (9-20) five starters reached double-figures, although reserves Amir Johnson and Alan Anderson each finished with 12 points to pace the Raptors. DeMar DeRozan had enjoyed strong performances against San Antonio in the past but only managed eight points in the latest encounter. “You never know. Maybe he just had one of those nights where he wasn’t feeling it, but it’s better than the 25 he usually scores on us,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich told reporters. “We’re thrilled with that.” The Raptors had managed to string together a succession of victories prior to Wednesday’s game despite missing center Jonas Valanciunas, who broke his finger last week, guard Kyle Lowry and forward Andrea Bargnani through injury. Toronto managed to stay pretty close to the Spurs until the latter stages of the third quarter, where San Antonio broke free with a 13-2 run that put them 70-55 ahead. “We just came out more aggressive (in the second half) and realised we didn’t play well in the first half,” Ginobili said. “We were a little flat and we needed to pick it up.” The victory was the second straight blowout for the Spurs, who routed Dallas 129-91 on Sunday. This time, San Antonio barely had to exert themselves as they utilised the complete roster, and while Tony Parker registered 13 points and seven assists, it was the 45 points from the bench that made the difference.

Friday, December 28, 2012

Associated Press Writer

Celtic’s Gary Hooper, center, celebrates his goal during their Champions League Group G soccer match against Spartak Moscow at Celtic Park, Glasgow, Scotland, Wednesday Dec. 5, 2012.

GLASGOW, Scotland — Georgios Samaras and Gary Hooper gave Celtic a 2-0 victory at Dundee on Wednesday, sending the champions seven points clear at the top of the Scottish Premier League. Samaras sent Celtic on its way to a fifth consecutive SPL victory with an overhead kick 16 minutes into a one-sided first half. Colin Nish missed a chance to equalize when his header was saved by Fraser Forster after the break, and Hooper secured the points in the 71st minute when he lobbed goalkeeper Rab Douglas. Inverness is now further adrift of Celtic in second after twice fighting back to draw 2-2 with St. Mirren.

AP Photo/Scott Heppell

Man Utd win seven-goal thriller while Man City lose Reuters

LONDON - Manchester United trailed three times before a last-gasp goal from Javier Hernandez sealed a rip-roaring 4-3 victory over Newcastle United that opened a seven-point lead at the top of the Premier League on Wednesday. Manchester City were undone by former winger Adam Johnson as he scored the only goal in a 1-0 win for Sunderland which left the champions second in the table, four points ahead of Chelsea who beat Norwich City 1-0 thanks to a 20-metre strike from Juan Mata. Tottenham Hotspur moved up to fourth after Gareth Bale grabbed his first Premier League hat-trick in a 4-0 rout at Aston Villa who were also thrashed 8-0 at Chelsea on Sunday. As they have done so many times this season Manchester United fell behind early on but even without the injured Wayne Rooney they offered another dazzling display of firepower. James Perch delighted the Newcastle fans with a fourth-minute opener at Old Trafford. Jonny Evans levelled in the 25th minute before the Manchester United defender put through his own net four minutes later as the visitors went back in front in controversial fashion. Patrice Evra equalised for the home team but Papiss Cisse then gave Newcastle a 3-2 lead. Robin van Persie hit back for Manchester United before Mexico striker Hernandez, in for the injured Rooney, popped up with the last-minute winner. Manchester United’s 19 league matches this season have yielded a total of 76 goals and their mantra appears to be ‘however many you score, we will score more’. Had they not steamed back to win a thrilling Boxing Day fixture, arguments over Evans’s

own goal would have raged. Referee Mike Dean initially disallowed it, ruling that Newcastle striker Cisse was offside, but he changed his mind after a lengthy delay during which he consulted his assistant. “I thought it was a bad decision for the own goal,” said Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson who vented his fury at Dean at halftime. “Cisse was offside and he also grabbed Evans on the arm. If that’s not interference, what is interference?”, Ferguson told the BBC.

CHAMPIONSHIP PERFORMANCE

“December is always a big month. We dropped two points at Swansea (on Sunday) but made up for it today. It was a real championship performance.” Manchester United had to do without Rooney after he was hurt in training. “Rooney has injured a ligament at the back of his knee and will be out for two or three weeks,” Ferguson said. “We are running out of ammunition.” Before his part in the controversy Evans had equalised for Manchester United but the defensive frailties that have plagued Ferguson’s team this season meant they needed to play catch-up twice more. The third goal by Cisse, the 28th conceded by United in the league, raised hopes of Newcastle’s first league win at Old Trafford since 1972. Van Persie equalised for the home team with his 13th league goal of the season before Hernandez produced his grandstand finish to give United their eighth victory this season in a game where they previously trailed. Manchester City’s defeat at Sunderland was their second in a row at the Stadium of Light. “It’s the same story for us at Sunderland every year, we are not going to come here next season,” said manager Roberto Mancini with his

tongue firmly in his cheek. “It’s important that our strikers start scoring more goals, sometimes we take one touch too many.” With the season at the halfway point Manchester United, who have already racked up 48 goals to compensate for some unusually leaky defending, have 46 points with Manchester City on 39. Third-placed Chelsea, who have a game in hand, are on 35. In the race for fourth position, Everton briefly nudged ahead on 33 points with a 2-1 win over struggling Wigan Athletic at Goodison Park where home defender Phil ManNeville made his 500th league chester appearance. Tottenham replied United’s in a later kickoff, piling on the Javier Christmas gloom for Hernandez Villa. celebrates after Sixth-placed scoring against West BromNewcastle Unitwich Albied during their on joined English PreEverton mier League and Tottenh a m soccer match on 33 points with a 2-1 at Old Trafford victory at Queens Park Stadium, ManRangers in a match dechester, England, layed after the bus carWednesday Dec. rying the visiting team 26, 2012. arrived late. AP Photo/Jon Super

Werder Bremen hires new sports director Associated Press Writer

BREMEN, Germany — Werder Bremen says it has hired former footballer and ice hockey manager Thomas Eichin as its new sports director. Eichin will be officially presented later Thursday and will take over the position left vacant by the departure of Klaus Allofs in the spring. Allofs left Bremen to join Wolfsburg as sports director. A former defender for Borussia Moenchengladbach between 1985 and 1996, Eichin has been in management positions for the Cologne Sharks ice hockey team. He is currently the managing director of the Cologne club and will move to Bremen once the ice hockey season is over for the Sharks, who are one of the title contenders.