There have place women be banned wearing trousers

Aceh, Indonesia :

Starting from January 1, 2010, there will be no women wearing trousers in West Aceh district, part of Aceh province.  West Aceh district imposed a ban on the use of pants tight jeans and style for women.

Ramli MS, West Aceh Regent has signed a bylaw which prohibits women in the regency from wear trousers.

To anticipate huge number of trousers to be cut by police during raids, the regency administration has prepared along 7,000 long skirts, which will be provided free to those caught wearing trousers.

Ramli MS was quoted by a newspaper last month as saying that "We have issued the regulation to further enforce Islamic sharia granted by the central government". "Put on pants, in West Aceh district was increased disobedience and we do socialization stage per stage," said the Ramli MS to reporters.

However, Ramli did not mention the increase in the number of immortal acts in the region. He also did not specify which type of disobedience occured. In addition to its disobedience, there is the main reason that the main reason for Ramli to implement this ban.

"I implement this rule because I am embarrassed by the central government, because I can not apply the rule of Islam completely," said Regent.
Not only that, Ramli also reasoned that the policy on the basis of a sense of  responsibility he had. So not only responsibility to the central government, but also his relationship with God.

"As a magistrate I have a responsibility, I will be asked by God during my responsibility to led West Aceh, in addition to fulfill the desire of central government," said Ramli.

Used of pants are allowed on condition that should be tightly covered her eyes wide and legs. Pants can also be used as a long skirt depths wide. 

The new bylaw on the banning of trousers adds to another controversial law in Aceh launched earlier in September under the Islamic bylaw system, which included articles on stoning alduterers to death and caning for premarital sex. Across the country, the new bylaw adds to many similar policies in other regions which rule on women's dress code and behavior.

Vice Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly, Ahmad Farhan Hamid, assessing ban women wearing jeans too far. Clothing issue, said the senator from Nangroe Aceh Darussalam, it was a private matter.

"I think an area makes the rules refer to the law" said Farhan. "Qanun to regulate their citizens should not be contrary to the law" said Farhan. But Farhan himself claims not read Qanun contains a ban on the use of the jeans. "I think that I will discuss with colleagues in parliament later" he said.

Indonesia Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Patrialis Akbar, not yet knowing there are rules prohibited girls in jeans in West Aceh. Patrialis will check the information first. "I'll comment later, please monitor what will be happened" said Patrialis.  (Harian Rakyat Aceh/The Jakarta Post-Indraswari)

Tea pot collector from Vietnam

Some of Vu's teapots collection

Thai Nguyen, Vietnam :

Mong Nong Vu, the tea collector was born and raised in dinh Hoa district, in a province celebrated for its tea Thai Ngu Yen. For mong Nong Vu, tea time has lasted nearly half of his life, he have collection around 300 teapots in various shapes and sizes , some 800 years old.

Vu has spent years researching and collecting the crockery, as well as drinking tea of course. Sometimes he wants a piece so badly, he is willing to fork out a sum ten times his monthly salary.

His job as director of the provincial Centre of Culture and Information, gives him the ideal conditions to pursue his obsession.

"These teapots show that since our ancestors' time, Vietnamese tea culture was different from Japanese and Chinese," he says, "the tradition still influence modern culture."

One of the gems in his collection is a teapot called Ga Than (Holy Cock), made around 800 years ago under Ly Dynasty. It has an interesting design - shaped like the head of a cock.
Other Vietnamese teapots in the collection date from Ly (1010 - 1225), Tran (1225 - 1400), and Le (1418 - 1788) dynasties, many shaped like dragons and phoenixes.
The collection also include teapots from China (since Song, Ming and Ching dynasty) and some have designs following Japanese style.

With his teapots collection, Vu hopes it will help others understand more about Vietnamese tea culture, and appreciate its beauty and complexity. (Vietnam News)

 

Ghost City

Fengdu, China :

Located on the north bank of the Yangtze River , Fengdu is an ancient city with a long history, known as the "Ghost City" to most Chinese people.

It got its reputation as the "Ghost City" in the eastern Han Dynasty. Two officials from the Imperial court : Wang Faping and Ying Changsheng, got bored with political life in the court and came to Min Mountain outside the Fengdu city to practice Taoist teachings. Both of them later became immortal by carrying out self-cultivation. This story wide spread and makes Min mountain famous. When combined together, their surnames Yin and Wang, sound very much like "King of Hell" in Chinese, hence the people began to call Fengdu the "Ghost City".

According to superstitious legend, "the dead come to Fengdu and the devils go to hell".  Since  Tang Dynasty,
forty-eight temples had been built in this place, such as "the Hall of Jade Emperor", "the Palace of Hell", "the boundary between the Living and the Dead", "the Ridge of Helplessness and "the Balcony of Nostalgia".
All of temples there look quite magnificent while statues are extremely lifelike. (Shanghai daily/Eastday) 

Manny Pacquiao made a new boxing history

Manny Pacquiao after defeat Miguel Cotto

Las Vegas, US :

The Filipino, Manny Pacquiao made a new history by becoming the first fighter to win seven world titles in as many weight classes with a stunning final round technical knock out of Miguel Cotto from Puerto Rico.

Pacquiao dominated from the second round on, putting a stunning display of boxing skills and laying a savage beating on the Puerto Rican champion at the MGM Grand hotel and casino to claim Cotto's World Boxing Organization welterweight title last Sunday.

By the sixth round Cotto's face was showing signs of wear as both eyes became puffy. By the 11th round the champion was bleeding from both the mouth and nose as his white trunks starting turning a shade of red.

Cotto's trainer Joe Santiago asked his fighter if he wanted to stop the fight after the eight round and Cotto said no. His father, who works in his corner for every fight, tried to stop the fight after the 11th round but was voted down by the other members of the corner team.

Referee Kenny Bayless finally stopped the slaughter 55 seconds into the final round with Cotto unable to defend himself from Pacquiao's lightning quick combinations. (AFP/Saudi Gazette)

 

Siew Mai as China culinary

Ingredients :
- 10 oz minced pork
- 0.5 lb prawns (shelled, deveined and cut)
- 2 oz boiled pork fat, finely cubed
- 4 tbsp boiled bamboo shoots, chopped finely
- 4 oz square egg skins (wantan skins), obtainable from China food store
- 1 tbsp chopped spring onions
- 0.5 tsp pepper
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp ginger juice
- 2 tbsp corn flour
- 0.5 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sugar
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1 tsp sherry
- 1 tsp msg (as food enhancer) as optional

Directions :

Cut off the four corners of egg skins (wantan skins), blend other ingredients become one meat mixture. Put the meat mixture in the center of each egg skin. Enclose filling with egg skin, so that the top filling is seen. Put little piece of prawn in the top of meat, flatten base of each siew mai, brush steamer rack with oil, and space sew mai on the rack.
Steam over rapidly boiling water for 5 to 7 minutes or until cooked.
Serve hot with chili sauce and light soy sauce. (Shanghai Daily/East Day)

Ba Den Mountain

Cao Cai Temple (Left) and Cable Car at Top Baden Mountain (Right)

Vietnam :

Ba Den Mountain the highest peak in the southern provinces at 986 m high and 24 sq. m wide, is a great place to be visited in the off season, we can enjoy the fresh air and the distance 100 km from Ho Chi Min city.

Ba Den which was recognized as a national historical and cultural heritage site by the Ministry of Information and Communication (now, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) in 1986, and surrounding Tay Ninh Town. We explored caves, pagodas, temples and war memorials, ate local delicacies, and literally climbed the mountain.

The bustling place of Ba Den is home to the pagoda of Trung, Thuong and Hang and the caves of Thanh Long, Ong Ho,Ba Co, Ba Tuan, Thien Tai, and Ong Ta. Three museums there house both relics and pictures of soldiers fighting in the American War. Tramcars (cable cars) connect it all, and lead to the foot of the mountain, at which point there are three options for ascent to Dien Ba (Ba Temple) and its famous lying Sakyamuni Buddha.

According the legend, the bronze statue of Ba Den names Ly Thi Thien Huong, a beautiful lady with swarthy complexion and much virtue, who was forced to marry with the son of a rich mandarin while her lover was fighting the aggressors. Refusing to marry a man she did not love, Huong threw herself from the mountain. Another legend tells the sinilar tragic story of a woman named Denh who worshiped in the Dien Ba.

Cao dai Great Temple located in Tay Ninh's Hoa Thanh District, 8 km from Ba Den mountain. The 22 m wide and 97.5 long temple and its peaceful place were built in the early 1920 and attract many local and foreign tourists. The temple has four towers : Tam Dai, Hiep Thien Dai, Trung Dai and Bat Quy Dai and in the centre, the rows of colonnade are decorated with dragons and coated in white, red and blue color.

The domed ceiling is divided into nine parts similar to a night sky full of stars. And, in the sanctuary, there's a giant star-speckled blue globe on which is painted the Divine Eye.

During the festival of Cao Daism, which occurs the first eight days of the Lunar New Year and in the eight lunar month, the place is alive with ceremonies and celebrations of the custom and lifestyle of residents in Tay Ninh Town. (Vietnam News)

     

The First World Innovation Summit for Education at Qatar

HH Sheikha Mozah on World Innovation Summit for Education

Qatar :

Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bin Nasser al Misnad was opened first World Innovation Summit for Education by Qatar Foundation on 16 November 2009 at Ritz Carlton.

Around 1,000 educators, decision makers and opinion leaders from 120 countries of the globe are attending the meet.

The three days summit was focused on present-day issues and future challenges in three areas of pluralism, sustainability, and innovation in education with participants taking up these issues in a series of plenary and breakout sessions.

"It was everyone's responsibility to support the cause of education. I do not make a distinction between the powerful and the weak, nor between the developed and less developed; everybody is responsible and it's everyone's duty to raise the level of education" said HH Sheikha Mozah. 

Director General UNESCO Irina Bukova, who was the guest of honour on the occasion, and Dr. Abdullah bin Ali al Thani, Chairman of WISE and Vice-President of  Education in Qatar Foundation also addressed the gathering. "Education is the backbone of the new knowledge based human era and we have a joint responsibility when it comes to promoting human enrichment, " said Bokova.

Dr. Abdullah Ali al Thani said "Rapid growth of educational institutions in the country has paved the way for political, social economic and environmental changes and improvements in all spheres of life in the country".

The important topics that were discussed during the day where pluralism, globalization of education, preparing students for a global economy and Society, bridging of global inequalities, higher education for a sustainable world, innovation technology, e-learning and many more. (Gulf Times/Qatar Tribune)
 

The Boy who eat ants and earthworms

Xiao Qiang, China :

A boy from an elementary student in Tianjin  municipality, is more often than not spotted walking on all hours.
He isn't pretending to be a dog. He just loves eating ants and earthworms.

According to his classmates, Xiao rushes to the playground as soon as the bell for the recess goes off and all he does is search for ants and earthworms and he eat it.

The boy's mother consulted a psychiatrist, who said her son probably suffered from a syndrome called "pica", which due to lack of micro elements present in the body, causes problems in the neurotic system.

(Bohai Morning Post/China daily)

The Opening New Khalifa Bin Salman Port in Bahrain

Bahrain :

The New Khalifa Bin Salman Port location in the heart of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will make Bahrain an ideal choice for carriers transshipping containers to the important and rapidly expanding Upper Gulf Region, particularly related with the market in Kuwait, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and northern Iran.

APM terminals, which signed a 25-years concession for Khalifa bin salman and the existing port of Mina Salman in November 2006, has already invested in modern equipment and systems.
According to APM Terminals Bahrain managing director Steen Davidsen, the company had started "reaping the benefits before the move".
"When we took over the port was managing six to 10 container movements per hour" said Davidsen. "In the space of a year we have improved that a 30 container movements per hour".
 

The area approximately 900,000 sqm of land as known the Bahrain gateway, will have substantial space for growth over the current capacity at Mina Salman port.
With a draft alongside of 15 meters, the port will be able to handle post-panamax vessels or container ships with capacity of up to 8,000 TEU's compared to the current maximum capacity for 3,000 TEU ships.

Davidsen also says that while the move to the new port has been specifically designed to upgrade and increase the capacity for container and bulk cargo, the deep water facilities will also allow larger cruise ships to berth in a dedicated terminal.

Finance Minister Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa already inaugurated the new Khalifa bin Saman Port yesterday. (Gulf Weekly)

The Amazing Chongqing

The amazing view in the night

Chongqing is located at transitional area between the Qinghai and Tibet plateau and the flat area from middle and lower reaches on the Yangtze River. The land under Chongqing's jurisdiction is 470 km from east to west and 450 km from north to south. It borders on Hubei and Hunan provinces in the east, Guizhou in the south, Sichuan in the west and north and Shaanxi Province as its northeast corner.

Chongqing was known as Jiangzhou in ancient times, and later was called Ba Prefecture, Chu Prefecture, Yu Prefecture and Gong Prefecture at different times. Chongqing as the center administrative as state Ba covered a large area include Sichuan province, southern Shaanxi province, western Hubei province, northwestern Hunan province, and northern Guizhou province. Human activities can be dated back to the end of the Old Stone Age about 20,000 to 30,000 years ago. In the 11th century B.C. when the Zhou Dynasty replaced the Shang Dynasty, the ba people established the state of Ba with present day Chongqing as its capital.

Chongqing is particularly rich in human landscape as well as in culture relics and historic sites. There are now 49 national, provincial and municipal preservation places of treasured historical in relics. In 1999, the UNESCO listed The Dazu Stone Sculptures on World Register of Culture Heritage. In its 12 museums and memorial halls displays and exhibitions are held every year. (The Shanghai Daily - Eastday)

   

Peacock Dance from China

In the mind of the Dai ethnic group on the southwest border of China, the peacock as a totem worshipped and stands for auspiciousness and beauty.  The excellent Peacock dance reflects their respect for peace, honesty, water and beauty. The Dai people believe in Hinayana that the Peacock Rajas (Bright King) is a Bodhisattva flying on a peacock, with lotus and peacock tail in hand. Therefore, the Dai people love peacocks, , tame peacocks and the peacock dance.

The Peacock Dance by a female group dance was first put on stage in 1956. According to folk custom, the peacock dance used to performed by males. They had to shoulder heavy stage props such as wings and, therefore, their actions were restrained.

Breaking through the boundaries of tradition, the creator tried to display peacock's beauty by giving the part to women. They got rid of the heavy wings and they wore long broad skirts decorated with peacock feathers.
When the dance debuted at the national dance festival in 1956, it found great favor with audiences for its uniqueness and elegance.  The next year it won gold award in the World Youth Festival . In the dance, a "peacock", with its tail feathers spreading, rushes from a high hill. Its wings changed into the "peacock girls", who dance around "King of Birds" according to beat of foot drums and gongs. With this grateful rhythm, they drink, bathe and fly. (The Shanghai Daily - Eastday)

   

Disneyland in Shanghai on 2014

Disneyland will open in Shanghai by 2014, it will be set on 1.5 square kilometers in the riverside Pudong District. The cost be estimated on 22.4 billion yuan  (HK$ 25.5 billion) and the amount four times bigger than

Hong Kong Disneyland.

Tourism official gave a positive comments, claiming Shanghai park will complement Hong Kong operation. More than 17 million people have visited Hong Kong Disneyland since its opening in September 2005 up to this end of this May. One-third of visitors to Hong Kong Disneyland are from mainland, one - third local and one - third from overseas including Southeast Asia.

Related with the double of Shanghai and Hong Kong Disneyland, a Disney spokesman said :

"The United States with a quarter of the population of China , supports two Disney theme resorts with six parks all together. The China travel market is also expected to continue grow rapidly over the next 20 years.

The two China parks, like all of our theme parks, will draw from separate and distinct guest bases."

Paul Tang, chief economist at Bank of East Asia, told Reuters : "Visitors from Guangdong and southern China will still find Hong Kong Disneyland more convenient, while Shanghai Disneyland attract visitors from northern and eastern China." (The Standard - HK)

 

Diabetes for pregnant woman

A doctor check up pregnant woman at a hospital in Katmandu

Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the blood glucose too high (hyperglycaemia). It is due to insufficient insulin being produced or the cell in the body being unable to use insulin the way they should. Because without insulin, the blood glucose can not get into the body's cells accumulates in the bloodstream.

Diabetics pregnancies had invariably resulted in miscarriages or stillbirths until about three decades ago. Many diabetics get pregnant today, although there are potential complications. A healthy baby will result, provided there is good control of the blood glucose. This can be achieved by close partnership between the patient with her obstetrician and her physician or endocrinologist.

The body's changes during pregnancy make control of blood glucose more difficult. During the first trisemester, the insulin requirement may decrease slightly and can lead to hypoglycaemia which can affect brain function. Nausea and vomiting during this time affects carbohydrate absorption in the gut, thereby impacting on insulin dosing. Pre-existing diabetics complications may worsen during pregnancy.

Insulin requirements increase gradually between 16 to 20 weeks of pregnancy and then markedly. This is due to the placental hormones which are important for foetal growth but concomitantly, blocks the effect of insulin.
The insulin requirements will be less during labour as the body is working using glucose for its energy requirements. After birth, the body's insulin requirements decreases but it will take weeks or months before the body's changes are complete. 

A routine urine screen for glucose is carried out at every antenatal visit to enable the doctor to decide who needs further investigation. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is diagnosed by an oral glucose tolerance test (GTT). After an overnight fast, the patient will be given a dose of oral glucose and the blood and urine checked for glucose at regular intervals.

The diabetes management plan during pregnancy includes : knowing and keeping the blood glucose level under control, healthy died, regularly moderate physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight gain, taking medications as prescribed , keeping records as advised by the doctor, and keeping appointments with the doctor as advised. (DR. MILTON LUM / The Star Online)

 

Fires on Australia's oil rig on Timor Sea

West Atlas mobile offshore drilling platform catches fire after
ten weeks of leaking oil into the Timor Sea

A real fire has broken out on an Australian oil rig and delayed plan to plug the leak that has been spilling oil into the Timor Sea since August.

The blaze started on Sunday, when workers began pumping heavy mud into a leaking well casing. An estimated 400 barrels oil per day have flow out from the hole since 21 August, threatening marine wildlife over an area ten times the size of London.

Australia's government today promises an investigation, the latest drama in a ten week saga to plug the hole.
PTTEP Australasia, which operates the rig, said no one was injured and nonessential workers were evacuated after the fire broke out on the West Atlas rig and Montara wellhead platform.
PTTEP Australasia says efforts to stem the leak have already cost the company $ 167 million.

The Federal Government yesterday released a report revealing bird and marine species are at risk from spill, but it says the full impact can not be immediate determined. (Guardian.co.uk/ABC News)

China's Lady Singer Fall to Death

Beijing :

China's lady singer, Chen Lin has died after fall from a building Saturday, according to Sina.com.cn.

Chen, 39, fall from the ninth floor of an apartment in Chaoyang District, Beijing. Her body was found by a local resident early Saturday morning.

The exact cause of the singer's death still under investigation. One of Chen's friends said the star was plagued by "emotional problems".

She was born in Chongqing in 1970 and rose became a star from the album "I Can Never Understand Your Love" in 1993. It reached the top of the album charts and sold over 1.5 million copies.

In hits songs like " I Choose What I Want" and "Give Up Your Love", Chen candidly expressed her own outlook on love and life.

She married Shen Yongge, bos of Zhu Shu Entertainment Ltd., in 1995. Both divorced in 2007, and Chen remarried singer Zhang Chaofeng two years later. (The Korea Times)

 

Yas Marina Circuit - Abu Dhabi ready for F1 Racing

Abu Dhabi :

The Abu Dhabi Motorsport Management have shifted into top gear as they prepare to stage the first day night Formula One race on Sunday, at one of the most technologically advanced racing circuit in the world.

"We are ready" said Richard Cregan, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit as the security cover around Yas Island tightened and a massive mulyi media public service campaign was launched to mark the final  days before the season ending finale of one of the wolds's most watched sport.

One of the keys areas that the organizers have been focusing on has been the travel and transport arrangements which is the fact that Yas Island on which the Yas Marina is built is a relatively new location while the huge numbers of over 50,000 plus fans makes the task that more difficult.

"Ensuring that everyone is able to get and from the track is shared responsibility across many public and private organizations. We would like to thank all of those partners, and on behalf of the partners we urge the race going public to take the time and plan their day."

"There are numerous ways to get to Yas Marina Circuit, and we ask that you think about what way will best suit you," said Cregan , as he awaits the final test of Abu Dhabi's first Formula One race on Sunday. (Gulf Daily News)

JAL starts consulting to seek help for reconstruction

The transport Ministry and reconstruction said on Thursday that the struggling carrier like JAL need to go through reconstruction under the Enterprise Turnaround Initiative Corp. (ETIC), after around a month evaluating Japan Airlines Corp's assets.

JAL released a statement saying it has begun consulting with ETICon seeking its help for reconstruction.

ETIC is a Tokyo based corporation jointly set up by the government and have 130 private sector financial institutions to rehabilitate debt ridden companies. ETIC, which began operating earlier this month, ia able to buy debt and invest in and provide loans to companies saddled with liabilities, deemed excessive, and can raise up to Yen 1.6 trillion in government guaranteed funds.

Transport minister Seiji Maehara stressed that ETIC will be in charge for reconstruction, so disclosing the task force's specific plan would be meaningless and could possibly make ETIC's job tougher.

The head of the task force, Shinjiro Takagi said separately that the public funds, loans and investments will be necessary to reconstruct JAL, but declined to specify the amount of financial aid necessary.

The task force's proposal reportedly centered on a capital reinforcement of up to Yen 300 billion and Yen 250 billion in debt waivers from JAL's creditors banks. The scheme include to decrease 13,000 of the JAL group workforce by the end of March 2015 and make restructuring  45 unprofitable domestic and international routes.

Asked why the task force did not propose that JAL resort to legal measures to eliminate its liabilities, such as applying for bankruptcy under the corporate rehabilitation law, Takagi said it would badly damage the company's reputation and thereby caused to much risk for Japan's top airline.

"Many  JAL operations involve international dealings on credit, and JAL's business directly depends on passengers. So the risk to its reputation would be too big," Takagi said. Once JAL makes an official application, ETIC will reevaluate the carrier's assets and decide whether to provide financial aid, which could come before year's end.

With JAL facing a cash shortage as early as next month, the airline is likely to seek government guarantees of Yen 180 billion in bridge loans to be provided mainly by the government owned Development Bank of Japan. With its troubled management , JAL has suffered chronic deficits.

In 2007, it got Yen 140 billion to strengthen its capital through a public stock offering. It also issued Yen 150 billion worth of new shares to a third party in 2008.

JAL had to ask for a Yen 100 billion special loan in June, only to post a record April-June group net loss of Yen 99.04 billion.
(Kyodo - The Japan Times Online)

Nygard Cay - at Bahama

Bahama Luxury Nygard Cay is a 10 acre dreamland at the end of  Lyford Clay in New Providencia Bahamas that have 10 bedrooms with two pools, 5 jacuzzi/whirpools, tennis court, 2 volleyball courts, 2 hummers, a 82' yacht, and etc. (more information)

Shell to comply with oil price order

Phillipines :
PILIPINAS Shell will comply with a directive to keep oil prices at October 15 levels but it not ruling out moves to bring the matter to court, said the company's vice president for communications Roberto Kanapi.

Shell will also ask the energy department to clarify some issues concerning Executive Order 839, such as the fuel products included, its period of effectivity, whether it refers to the suggested retail price or actual retail price, and the directive's coveragesince not all Luzon areas where affected by typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.

"While the intent of the order is to prevent unreasonable increases in prices of petroleum products during a state calamity, the consequences of the (EO 839) would be supply disruptions and a negative impact on the investment climate in our country. We will continue to discuss these issues with the Department of Energy - Department of Justice (DOE - DOJ) Task Force and other relevant government agencies," Kanapi said.

Kanapi said Shell expects the demand for petroleum products to go up since several players have indicated they may stop selling. Also, he added, commercial and industrial users of fuel, which are not covered by EO, may opt to buy from Shell retail stations to take advantage of the low prices.

In a statement, Shell in fact said it expects a "significant" shift in the fuel sourcing of commercial and industrial accounts from oil companies to retail sites. 

Hence, in compliance with the EO and so that victims of calamities would be the ones to benefit from subsidized oil prices, Kanapi said Shell will ration the sale of petroleum products to retail stations, basing the volume on their average sales in recent months.

"We will not accommodate those big volume off-takers that would come to our stations with containers and trucks, unless they are regular customers. These lower rates at retail stations are meant for victims of calamities," added Kanapi.

Another oil company,  Unioil Petroleum Philippines Inc., vowed to comply with directive.

"We would like to assure the public that Unioil has enough supply of petroleum products in our inventory to comply with the President's directive. There will be no problem in the normal flow of petroleum products in all our retails stations," Unioil  general manager Chito Medina Cue said.

He said they can bring in fuel products from foreign suppliers within three days if there is a shortage of supply in the local market.

"There is nothing to be afraid of as there is no shortage of supply in the international market for finished petroleum products. To bring in the products, we will just need three days at the most as long as the appropriate government agencies will expedite the processing of documents for the release of the imported fuels," Medina Cue said.

Medina Cue said the energy department should monitor retail station of Unioil's competitors to make sure they are complying with the order.

Other oil firms have started to roll back prices by P2 per liter for diesel, P1.25 per liter for unloaded premium gasoline, P0.85 per liter for regular gasoline, and P1.50 per liter for kerozene in Luzon. (MSN/Sunnex/Sun Star - Philippines)   

   

H1N1 vaccine in China

More than 54 percent of Chinese people don't plan to receive the A/H1N1 flu vaccine, because they doubt it safety and quality, according to a new survey by China Daily and a major portal Sohu.com.

The initial results from 2,000 respondents stand it significant contrast with a survey conducted by Sohu.com two months ago in which 76 percent of 2,000 said they want the inoculation. It also marks the first time that more than half of a poll's respondents have shown a lack of trust in the vaccine.

Only 30 percent in the latest ongoing survey said they would like to be inoculated and a little more than 15 percent said they would follow others in deciding whether to get the jab.

Currently the inoculation is being scaled up nationwide and would cover 5 percent of population by the end of the year, said Health Minister Chen Zhu. The intensified effort comes as the outbreak is expected  to peak around December in most area of the nation.

"Ten millions could be infected," warned Zeng Guang, chief epidemiologist at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Starting from late September, China has so far inoculated more than 300,000 people , mainly young students and old people against H1N1, with  150 showing mild adverse reactions like swelling and fever.

Worldwide, nearly 5,000 people have reportedly died from H1N1 flu, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
US President Barack Obama also declared on Friday the H1N1 outbreak a national emergency.

The illness, unlike other flu strains, has been particularly tough on children and young adults and everyone is susceptible, experts said.

WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl said the H1N1 vaccine had been used in seasonal flu shot formulation. He said the seasonal flu shot had been among the safest vaccines known to exist.
"The most important tool we have to fight this pandemic is the vaccine. Bad reactions are fully to be expected, especially the mild types though," he stressed. (China Daily/People's Daily Online)

 

China's Largest Property Developer get net profit up 30 %

China :

China Vanke, the country's largest property developer by market value, said Sunday that it ranked in a net profit of 2.96 billion yuan (433.38 million U.S. dollars) in the first three quarters of this year, up 29.9 percent year on year.

The company's business revenue in the first three quarters surged 31.1 percent year on year to 29.54 billion yuan, it said in quarterly report to the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

The Senzhen-based company sold 5.1 million square meters of housing nationwide during the January - September period, up 26.8 percent over the same period last year in terms of total sales space.

The company's housing sales totaled 5.57 million suare meters for the whole of 2008, down 9.2 percent year on year amid a stagnant property market. Its net profit declined 16.7 percent in 2008 from the previous year.

(People's Daily Online/Xinhua)

China, Japan and South Korea to mull FTA

China, Japan and South Korea agreed on Sunday to begin joint research by academic, government and private-sector representatives on the possibility of forging a trilateral free trade agreement (FTA).

The accord was struck by the economic and trade ministers of the three countries in a meeting, on the sidelines of the series of summits involving the three countries and the Association of  Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). A tripartite working level meeting will study ways on how to proceed with the joint research early next year.

The agreement marks a step forward in Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's initiative to promote regional cooperation through an "East Asia Community". In line with the concept, Hatoyama has said Japan should cooperate with China and South Korea as much as possible.

So far, only private sector experts have been considering the possibility of the three countries forging a three-way FTA.

"Both China and South Korea want to launch walking level talks as soon as possible", Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Masayuki Naoshima told reporters.

The three ministers also agreed to effectively conclude an investment pack at an early date next year.

(People's Daily Online)

Rossi clinched the ninth world title MotoGP

Sepang Circuit, Malaysia :

Valentino Rossi clinched the ninth world title of his career, by finishing third in last Sunday FIM MotoGP race in Sepang, Malaysia, behind Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa.

Stpner's second successive race victory was achieved with a yawning gap of 14.666 seconds back to Pedrosa.

Yet it was Rossi's achievement which dominated, as he duly defended the crown he won last year.

For Pedrosa, minor honours were accompanied by the statistic of  a 78th career podium finish.

Torrential rain caused a 35 minutes delay and left behind a saturated track, on which Jorge Lorenzo was relegated from second to the back of the grid after a technical problem on the sighting lap.

The Spaniard nonetheless surged past Rossi, who started on pole but quickly dropped back to 10th.Lorenzo was eventually to finish fourth, just behind the Italian.

As Stoner began to grind out a huge advantage - four second in front after only two laps - Nicky Hayden, Lorenzo and Rossi jockeyed for their positions in behind.

Further back , Pedrosa and his Repsol Honda team mate Andrea Dovizioso were engaged in a duel for second until the latter  slid off on lap 14 on a still greasy track.

Rossi was therefore up to third - and although he could never get Pedrosa, he had done enough.

"It's a great achievement - and for me it's the ninth championship, the seventh in MotoGP,"Rossi added.

(ESPNSTAR)

West Lake International Fireworks Fair 2009

China :

Fireworks lights the night sky and West lake during a show of 2009 West Lake International Fireworks Fair in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, China on October 24, 2009.

(People's Daily Online/Xinhua - Zhu Yin Wei)

Traveling to Sailimu Lake

Sailimu lake is located in the Boertalan Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture in the Xinjiang Uygurs  Autonomous Region,China. Encompassing an area of about 460 squarekilometers, it is a fault basin at an elevation of 2,073 meters, the highest among the Xinjiang high mountain lakes and with a maximum depth of 91 meters.  

(People's Daily Online - China, Photo : sina.com.cn)

Traveling to Samoa

Samoa consist of nine islands, each one offering something different, some islands only inhabited by vegetation and wildlife. Covered by rugged volcanic mountain peaks in tropical rainforest, sprawling coastlines fringed with reefs and white sandy beaches that make Samoa have many beautiful scenery

The independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa, is a group of islands in the Polynesian region of the South Pacific. It is roughly halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. To be more precise it lies between longitudes 171 and 172 west, latitudes 13 and 14 south of the equator, and is just east of the International date Line.

The heaviest and most frequent rainfalls occur during the monsoon season, between November - April, and the December - January holiday season, Samoa have many tourist coming.  (Samoa Observer)

 

Allianz, AMEX retain ICBC stake

Allianz SE and American Express Co plan to keep their Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd stakes, which have a combined value of about $ 3.1 billion, past a lockup on the holding that expired yesterday.

Allianz and American Express have no immediate plans to sell, the companies and Beijing-based ICBC said in statements. Allianz has 3.22 billion Hong Kong-traded ICBC shares, worth HK$ 19.9 billion, while American Express owns 638 million shares with a value of HK$ 3.95 billion.

The agreement "is an indication that key shareholders are optimistic about ICBC's business and growth potential and will lend some support to its shares", said Victor Wang , an analyst at UBS AG in Hong Kong who rates ICBC a "buy".

ICBC is the world's biggest bank by market value and profit. It has more than 16,000 outlets nationwide, 112 branches overseas, and 190 million individual customers--equivalent to the combined populations of Japan and France.

The Beijing based bank's profit may rise 16 percent to a record 128.4 billion yuan this year, according to analyst surveyed by Bloomberg.

ICBC shares advanced 2.4 percent to HK$ 6.24 yesterday in Hong Kong trading, taking this year's gain to 55 percent.

Reevaluating holdings
"In case of a potential disposal in the future, Allianz will explore all potential methods of sale that would maximize value and minimize market impact, with a preference for a private to investors,"the companies said.

American Express "will reevaluate its shareholding from time to time depending on market conditions" and "has no current plans to sell its shares", ICBC and the New York-based company said in a separate statement.

Allianz would have a profit of $2 billion and American Express a $400-million profit if they sold their stakes, bought in April 2006, at the current market price.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc, Allianz and American Express purchased a total of 24.2 billion shares in ICBC at that time for about $3.8 billion, six months before the Chinese bank's initial public offering. They agreed to hold half their shares for three years, and the remainder for six months more.

Previous sale
Munich-based Allianz, Europe's second biggest insurer by market value, and American Express immediately sold half their original investments in ICBC after the first lockup period ended on April 28. Goldman Sachs extended the period it must hold 80 percent of its stake to April 2010 under a revised agreement. The New York-based bank sold some of its ICBC shares in June.

Allianz, which booked a gain of 658 million euros on the sale of the first half of its stake in ICBC in the second quarter, has provided the bank with expertise in asset and risk management, while American Express issued co-branded credit cards with  the Chinese lender.

"Our partnership with ICBC offers a platform for expansion in our strategic growth market China and give us access to a huge number of Chinese customers," said Christoph John, a Singapore-based spokesman at Allianz.

Chinese banks "offer probably the clearest earning visibility" for 2010 among the nation's major industries, JP Morgan Chase & Co analysts led by Samuel Chen wrote in an Oct 11 report. They forecast 32 percent average earning growth for Chinese lenders next year, driven by loan expansion and a recovery in lending profitability. (People's Daily Online - China)  

   

Secondhand Clothes at Jeddah

Jeddah:

There was a time in the Kingdom when people shopping for clothes would only buy new. Saudis would never conceive buying secondhand clothing, something that has, however been growing in popularity in recent times.

Al-Sawareekh Souk (or called as the Rocket Market) is one of the biggest open air markets in the Kingdom, it also houses a huge clothing section.

The market is locally known as the dead-man's clothing market, since most of the clothes on sale previously belonged to people now dead.  The clothing section is a jumble with piles of clothes and peddlers sitting on the ground and on sidewalks selling clothes.

Most sellers, who are mainly of African nationalities, begin selling after Friday prayers. Saudis and expatriates often donate old clothes, especially those belonging to deceased relatives, to African women during the week. Clothes on sale range from anything between SR2 to SR100 and even include designer brands.

Saudis once looked unfavorably at buying used clothing, this was the realm of expatriates, especially those who are of low-income. "The market is crowded with people who want to buy used clothes," said Abu Ghalib, a 53 year old Saudi who works there. "Most of our customers are Asian nationalities and they come here to buy gifts for their families in their home countries. They come here because they can buy bulk for cheap." Another worker said most people buy used clothes during summer. "Some expatriates buy them as gifts for people back home. Most of my customers are Filipinos and Arabs. We import these clothes from Europe and sometimes from Dubai," he said. He added that the specific sources of clothes are unknown. "Some of clothes are donated by people whose relatives recently died. Some people asked me whether the clothes they are buying belonged to dead people. I just tell them that all my clothes are imported from abroad," he added.

A Filipino shopper at the market said he comes just to buy wedding dresses. "I make a few changes to them and then send them to the Philippines. The dress are then rented out for occasions. It is a profitable business," he said . Umm Ahmad, who is of non-Saudi Arab nationality, said she comes here to buy clothes for her children as she has a budget on what she can buy.

"The clothes are good and there are many varieties and choices. I avoid buying used clothes, which belonged to dead people. I found a wedding dress for my daughter  for SR90. If I bought it from a proper store then it would have cost me over SR3,000," she said.

Ahmad Mustapha, a skin disease specialist at a hospital, warned people against wearing used clothes saying this could lead to the spread of harmful bacteria and diseases. "I suggest people who buy used clothes wash them with hot water and put them under the sun,"he said. (arab news)

Glass Painting "Wayang" Never Extinct

Buleleng, Bali :

The art of glass painting "wayang" (Indonesian heritage puppet) developed in Nagasepaha Village, Buleleng District, was not yet extinct. Painting on glass that appeared around the year 1927 it still has in one generation descendant to the painter, puppeteer Jro Dalang  Diah (100).

In fact , during the last five years this painting back up and collected by collectors intellectuals from several areas, including Jakarta. In fact, in his prime, instead of the collector among coffee farmers and citrus farmers.

A curator and as a professor of art education from University of Ganesha, Singaraja, Buleleng, Hardiman said," The work of painting was re-entering the resurrection after struggling with modern art.

"In fact, the themes of glass painting from "wayang" puppet to develop a modern image, such as political developments or turbulent youth," he said at the opening of Glass Painting Exhibition at the Bentara Nagasepaha Culture, Bali on last Saturday (17/10) night.

He added, Jro Dalang Diah who became the first artist of this island resort has bequeathed  their natural talents to the children and grand children. They, among others, is I Nyoman Subrata, Suamba Ketut, Kadek Nurining and Ketut Santosa. There are also Made Sukrawa, Sumadrawan Ketut, Kadek Suardi, Ketut Sekar, Arnawa Wayan, Gede Kenak Aryadi, and Kadek Wijana.

Similar expressed Suteja Neka Pande Wayan, collector and owner of the Neka Art Museum. He added, Nagasepaha style has their own uniqueness among other art styles in Bali, such as Kamasan, Bali and rocks.   

Executive Director Bentara Budaya Bali, Efix Mulyadi supports efforts to contribute to preserve and develop culture and art such as glass painting original Balinese. According to him, this painting has unique process of workmanship and become meaningful , because of its rarity.

In the opening, Dean of the Faculty of Language and Arts Education University of Ganesha, DR. Made Sutama donate a "wayang" puppet sketch drawing on paper to be wrapped cement before painting "wayang" puppets to Bentara Budaya Bali.  Made Sutama also said sketches are a rare collection of original strokes Jro Dalang Diah and currently only a few pieces of it.

In addition, also attended the opening of the exhibition a number of artists and collectors, including art collectors from Jakarta, Adrian Pala and Tossin Himawan. The exhibition shown 52 glass paintings and lasted until October 27 next.

(KOMPAS)

Swine Flu's Outbreak at Grenada

Grenada :

Grenada could be on a verge of  a major outbreak of swine flu. According to Health Minister, Ann Peters. A number of persons have tested positive for the influenza following tests carried out in the past view days at the CAREC laboratory in Trinidad and Tobago.

Ann Peters told a meeting of the Senate on Wednesday that although she could not give a specific figure, however some of those who tested positive could include students of secondary schools on the island, as well as health workers at St. George's General Hospital.

The alarm bell was sounded on Monday when the Ministry of Health was called in to investigate a possible outbreak of the influenza A (H1N1) at the Happy Hill Secondary School (HHSS) in St. George North-west. According to reports reaching this newspaper approximately 40 students at the school had to be send home early after they displayed flu like symptoms such as fever, headache and vomiting.

One student said that she arrived at the school on last Monday morning what she believed was the common cold but her condition soon deteriorated and was told to return home and to have her parents take her to a doctor. A team of senior health proffesionals was dispatched  to HHSS to conduct the necessary testing and investigations. A spokesman for the Ministry of Health said that  the health profesionals evaluated 13 students and it was discovered that three of them had elevated temperatures.

One official of the school who wished to to remain unnamed said that a decision was taken to send the students home as the result of increase body temperature and that they are expected to remain home until they have seen a medical doctor and their symptoms are cleared. There are also unconfirmed reports that the students from Grenada Boys Secondary School (GBSS) and Anglican High School (AHS) were also sent home this week for displaying symptoms of Swine Flu. The Spokesman from the Ministry of Health said that the protocol which was establish earlier this year when the H1N1 virus first surfaced was immediately kick into action by health care workers.

The Ministry of Health has repeated calls for the population to continue exercising proper personal hygiene, including the washing of hands properly and frequently and to cover nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing. Swine flu is a respiratory disease thought to spread through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms mimic those of normal flu.

The H1N1 virus is said to be the same strain that cause seasonal flu outbreaks in humans but the newly detected version contains genetic material from versions of flu  which usually affect pigs and birds.

Image center : Grenada's Ministry of Health, Ann Peters (The Grenada Today/SPICE GRENADA.COM) 

     

David Beckham have motivation to rejoin AC Milan

England Midfielder David Beckham, is very likely to rejoin AC Milan on loan in January.

"It's highly probable that Beckham will arrive at Milan on Loan until June 30," Milan chief executive Adriano Galliana said. "But I'm not taking anything for granted until it's signed."

England manager Fabio Capello has said Beckham must return to a top European side from Los Angeles Galaxy to have any hope of making his squad for next year's World Cup finals in South Africa.

The 34 years old won back his international place during a successful loan period at Milan last season.

Beckham and LA Galaxy chief executive  Tim Leiweke have both said recently that a deal to take him back to the San Siro was close to being finalize.

Image : David Beckham     (Reuters/The Standard - HK)