World Cup 2010 South African

Theme Song FIFA World Cup 2010 Schedule - South African miners are confident annual platinum output will not be hit by power disruptions linked to this year's football World Cup, but there is still a risk of short-term price volatility in a sensitised market.

FIFA World Cup 2010 - And in the longer term, the fragility of the republic's power supply is set to keep production under pressure, adding another layer of support to prices which have already hit 20-month highs this year amid expectations for a rise in demand.

South African power issues have been high on the agenda of platinum traders since the last major power crisis in South Africa in early 2008 resulted in weeks of rolling blackouts and a shutdown of the mining sector.

This sent the price of platinum, four out of five ounces of which originate in South Africa, to a record $2 290 (R17 038) an ounce.

"Power is a major issue, given that South Africa is such a dominant player on the supply side," said Societe Generale analyst David Wilson. "That is a longer term issue than just this summer."

Talk abounded early this year that the republic's hosting of the football World Cup might result in power shortages to major users. South Africa has hosted large international sports tournaments, including the rugby World Cup, but the football World Cup is one of the sporting calendar's biggest events.

Power utility Eskom said it will need an extra 275 megawatts of electricity to supply the tournament, for which 2.24 million tickets have already been sold.

While both Eskom and the republic's miners say they have taken steps to address power issues linked to the event. Even minor disruptions during the peak-demand South African winter may have a disproportionate impact on prices, analysts say.

Barend Ritter, a Cape Town-based platinum analyst at Sanlam Investment Management, said power shortages are likely to hit big electricity users like miners the hardest.

"One-off events could mean a loss of a few percent in production, but in terms of sentiment, the market will take the view that there is likely to be a constraint in production, and prices will spike," he said.

Anglo Platinum, which produces nearly half global supply, is bringing forward scheduled maintenance to coincide with the Cup to lessen the impact of possible power constraints.

Number two platinum miner Impala Platinum said it would be "business as usual" during the tournament.

Analysts say the immediate impact of the event on platinum prices is likely to be limited to short-term spikes, which are unlikely to take prices back to the $2 000 level.

Miners have learnt from 2008's crisis. Many have taken steps like installing expensive but effective diesel-fuelled generators to help deal with short-term power disruptions.

VULNERABLE

But in the longer run, they are still vulnerable to problems with the republic's fragile electricity infrastructure.

The lengths miners have had to go to safeguard output during the tournament have reignited concerns over power stability.

"The World Cup is of itself not the biggest issue, but it is an interesting case study of what Eskom has to do to make sure electricity is available to users," platinum processor Johnson Matthey's publications manager David Jollie told Reuters.

Eskom said last week that South Africa's power supply is seen as a serious concern from 2011 onwards, until new power stations come on stream.

The utility was granted approval to raise electricity prices by 25 percent this year to help it build more plants, but until these are on line, fears over power supply are likely to linger. Miners may hold off investing in new projects while electricity supply is still an issue, analysts say. Platinum has one of the tightest market balances of any precious metal.

According to Johnson Matthey, it swung into a surplus of 140 000 ounces last year from a deficit of 240 000 ounces in 2008. But that was at a time when demand from automakers, who consume more than 50 percent of the metal annually, was slumping as the economic downturn bit.

With South Africa's biggest platinum miners forecasting flat production this year compared with last year, an expected rebound in demand is set to tip that balance back into deficit.

"When you do the maths, if you expect a rebound in auto catalyst demand next year, will there be enough platinum to supply that market?" Investec analyst Rebecca O'Dwyer said. "There may not be."

Current prices forecasts for platinum, collated from research notes produced by eight banks in the last month, suggest prices could average around $1 600 an ounce this year, and are likely to rise again next year to around $1 700.

While that is far from the dizzy heights the metal hit in early 2008, it is still well above last year's average price of around $1 200. With demand rising, until fears over power supply are calmed, they are unlikely to return to those levels. - Reuters

Memahami Primbon

Primbon sering dijadikan orangsebagai bagian dari kehidupan mereka, terutama masyarakat jawa. Dalam Berbagai hal, banyak masyarakat Jawa menjadikan primbon ini sebagai bagaian dari kehidupan mereka. Dengan adanya suatu patokan dalam perhitungan yang mereka buat, primbon menjadi hal yang begitu berarti bagi mereka.

Film Terbaru dalam Piala Oscar seolah menyimpa sebuah kutukan dan masih berbau misterius, ini sama artinya, di barat sana yang berbau mistik layaknya Primbon, masih dipercaya orang. Biarpun orang Eropa dan Amerika tidak percaya akan primbon, namun terhadap yang berbau mistik mereka masih saja ada sebuah kepercayaan juga. Lihat saja ketika mereka berpikir ada sesuatu yang mistik dalam Piala Oscar.

Piala Oscar adalah suatu kebanggaan bagi para aktris dunia. Tetapi, konon Piala Oscar memiliki cerita tersendiri bagi rumah tangga maupun kisah asmara para aktris. Sejumlah aktris dunia bercerai setelah meraih Piala Oscar. Benarkah Piala Oscar membawa kutukan bagi kehidupan rumah tangga selebritis?

Beberapa artis harus menghadapi perceraian maupun perpisahan dengan orang-orang yang dicintainya setelah menerima Piala Oscar. Saat ini, perceraian Kate Winslet dengan Sam Mendes sedang hangat menjadi pembicaraan. Melihat dari kasus perceraian pasangan itu, dianggap bila Piala Oscar memiliki pengaruh dalam rumah tangga para aktris dunia tersebut.

Pasalnya, tak hanya Kate Winslet, artis-artis ternama lainnya yang juga menerima piala tersebut juga mengalami nasib yang sama dengan Kate Winslet. Salah satunya adalah Reese Witherspoon. Reese menerima Piala Oscar pada tahun 2006 sebagai Aktris Terbaik lewat perannya dalam film 'Walk The Line'.

Selang beberapa bulan setelah menerima piala bergengsi itu, Reese harus menghadapi kenyataan pahit dalam rumah tangganya. Pernikahannya dengan aktor Ryan Phillippe mengalami gejolak. Perceraian menjadi pilihan pasangan yang telah dikaruniai dua orang anak ini. Mereka bercerai pada November 2006.

Padahal, dalam pidatonya saat menerima Piala Oscar, Reese mengatakan Ryan adalah suami yang sangat mengagumkan. Dan dia sangat berterima kasih karena memiliki Ryan dalam hidupnya. Pasangan ini menikah pada tahun 1999 setekah keduanya terlibat cinta lokasi di film 'Cruel Intensions'.

Tak hanya Reese, rumah tangga Hillary Swank juga harus berakhir dengan perceraian setelah aktris ini menerima dua kali piala tersebut sebagai Aktris Terbaik dalam film 'Boys Don't Cry' dan Million Dollar Baby'. Tahun 2005, Hillary menerima Piala Oscar keduanya. Januari 2006, Hillary mengumumkan perceraiannya dengan sang suami, Chad. Saat ini, Hillary menjalin hubungan dengan agennya, John Campisi. Sedangkan Chad telah memiliki anak dari hubungannya dengan produser Kim Painter.

Hal serupa dialami oleh Charlize Theron dan pasangannya Stuart Townsend. Bedanya, Charlize dan aktor asal Irlandia itu belum terikat pernikahan. Pada saat menerima Piala Oscar tahun 2004 silam, Charlize mengatakan bila kekasihnya adalah orang yang sangat mendukungnya selama ini. Charlize menerima piala sebagai Aktris Terbaik dalam film 'Monster'.

Charlize harus mengubur impiannya untuk menikah dengan kekasihnya itu. Pasalnya, jalinan cintanya dengan Stuart tak bisa berlabuh di pelaminan. Kisah cinta dua sejoli itu berakhir di tahun 2010 ini.

Satu lagi artis yang harus bercerai setelah menerima Piala Oscar adalah Halle Berry. Aktris berkulit hitam ini menerima piala itu dari perannya di film 'Monster Ball' di tahun 2002. Pada saat itu, rumah tangganya dengan Eric Benet masih berjalan harmonis. Tetapi, di pertengahan tahun 2003, mulai terjadi gonjang-ganjing dalam pernikahan artis tersebut. Pada Oktober 2003, pasangan ini resmi bercerai.

Nasib yang sama juga menimpa rumah tangga aktris Helen Hunt dan Hank Azaria. Setelah menerima Piala Oscar pada tahun 1998 dalam film 'As Good As It Gets', pasangan ini menikah. Tetapi, pernikahan mereka tak berjalan mulus karena pada tahun 2000, keduanya pisah ranjang. Hank keluar dari rumah dan tinggal di sebuah hotel. Juni 2000, Helen dan Hank resmi bercerai. Kini keduanya memutuskan untuk menjadi sahabat.

Gwyneth Paltrow yang berhasil menerima Piala Oscar lewat film 'Shakespeare In Love'. Pada saat menerima piala itu, Maret 1999, Gwyneth terikat hubungan dengan aktor Ben Affleck. Dua bulan kemudian, jalinan cinta dua sejoli ini hanya tinggal kenangan.

Keduanya memilih untuk putus. Gwyneth yang sempat bertunangan dengan Brad Pitt akhirnya menikah dengan vokalis Coldplay, Chris Martin tahun 2003 silam. Sedangkan Ben Affleck sempat menjalin hubungan dengan Jennifer Lopez dan akhirnya menikah dengan Jennifer Garner tahun 2005 silam

Tak berbeda jauh dengan Gwyneth Paltrow, kisah cinta Julia Roberts dengan aktor Benjamin Bratt juga harus kandas di tengah jalan setelah aktris berambut keriting ini menerima Piala Oscar dalam film 'Erin Brockovich'.

Julia menerima piala itu pada Maret 2001 sebagai Aktris Terbaik. Sedangkan pada Juni di tahun yang sama, Julia dan Benjamin berpisah. Padahal, jalinan cinta pasangan itu telah terbina selama tiga tahun. Kini, Julia hidup bahagia bersama suaminya, Daniel Moder dan ketiga anak mereka.

BIRU Voice Akan Kembali Unjuk Rasa di Kedutaan Australia

Sungai Bawah Laut - Menindaklanjuti aksi unjuk rasa yang digelar Rabu, 10 Maret 2010 pukul 11.00 WIB kemarin, BIRU Voice melalui wakil mereka Makarius dan Marcel menegaskan bahwa apabila dalam minggu ini belum juga diperoleh penjelasan yang terbuka, maka minggu depan BIRU Voice akan kembali melakukan unjuk rasa di Kedutaan Australia, hingga apa yang diserukan oleh BIRU Voice mendapat tanggapan yang memenuhi rasa keadilan bagi masyarakat NTT yang terkena dampak langsung, serta perbaikan terhadap lingkungan dan ekosistem di wilayah yang terkena dampak pencemaran.

Video Sungai Bawah Laut - BIRU Voice adalah Lembaga Swadaya Masyarakat (NGO) yang menaruh kepedulian terhadap lingkungan hidup dan perubahan iklim (www.biruvoice.com). Memang hari Rabu, 10 Maret 2010 pukul 11.00 WIB kemarin, BIRU Voice melakukan unjuk rasa ke Kedutaan Australia di Indonesia untuk menyampaikan Seruan BIRU Voice terkait pencemaran lingkungan yang terjadi akibat meledaknya ladang minyak Montara di Celah Timor, Australia, pada tanggal 21 Agustus 2009.
(http://lautkita.blogspot.com/2010/01/tumpahan-minyak-montaracemari-laut.html).

Menurut Suryo Susilo, Ketua BIRU Voice, Ladang minyak Montara yang meledak tersebut, letaknya dekat dengan gugusan Pulau Pasir (ashmore reef) yang menjadi pusat pencarian ikan dan biota laut lainnya oleh nelayan tradisional Indonesia. Ladang minyak Montara dikelola oleh PTTEP Australasia, perusahaan minyak asal Thailand.

Muntahan ratusan ribu liter minyak mentah perhari yang menjadi akibat meledaknya ladang minyak Montara tersebut telah mencemari perairan Laut Timor dan lingkungan di sekitarnya, serta mengancam seluruh habitat yang berada di kawasan tersebut.

Faisal Saleh, Wakil Ketua BIRU Voice menambahkan, yang lebih memprihatinkan adalah adanya informasi bahwa akibat dari meledaknya ladang minyak Montara juga mengakibatkan luapan lumpur panas, yang fenomenanya mirip dengan kebocoran gas Lapindo, yaitu terjadi luapan lumpur panas (mud vulcano).

Menurut Makarius Wangge dan Marcel, aktivis dari NTT, dampak pencemaran tersebut telah dirasakan akibatnya oleh para nelayan dan petani rumput laut di Timor Barat, yaitu di perairan Rote Ndao dan Kabupaten Kupang, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Indonesia.

Sehubungan dengan itu, BIRU Voice menyampaikan SERUAN yang dialamatkan kepada Pemerintah Australia di Canberra, melalui Kedutaan Besar Australia di Jakarta, yang isinya sebagai berikut:

1. Agar pemerintah Australia lebih serius dalam penanganan dampak perusakan lingkungan di celah Timor akibat kebocoran ladang minyak Montara, yang merusak biota laut hingga ke wilayah Indonesia.

2. Agar pemerintah Australia lebih manusiawi dalam menangani para nelayan NTT yang akibat pencemaran terpaksa melaut dan memasuki wilayah Australia.

3. Agar PTPEP Australasia memberikan ganti rugi yang sepadan kepada nelayan dan petani rumput laut yang terkena dampak langsung akibat pencemaran di perairan Timor, serta melakukan perbaikan lingkungan yang terkena dampak pencemaran akibat kebocoran ladang minyak Montara.

Suryo Susilo menegaskan bahwa BIRU Voice meminta agar ada penjelasan yang terbuka dari Pemerintah Australia terhadap progres dari penanganan yang telah dilakukan terhadap dampak dari pencemaran lingkungan, yang telah merusak ekosistem di Celah Timor hingga ke wilayah perairan Indonesia. Hal ini diperlukan agar tidak terdapat kesimpang siuran informasi, termasuk informasi bahwa para nelayan dan petani rumput laut yang terkena dampak pencemaran belum mendapatkan ganti rugi yang memadai.

Faisal Saleh mengharapkan agar dalam agenda kunjungan presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono ke Canberra juga membicarakan masalah yang mencemari lingkungan dan merugikan rakyat Indonesia, akibat dari meledaknya ladang minyak Montara di Celah Timor, Australia.

Top Wedding Dance Songs & Ideas

Your music makes your moments. Work with your Wedding Dance Band to choose the wedding dance songs, and the memories you want to have forever.

The first dance is reserved for the bride and groom, and this music is “their” song (first choice of the wedding dance songs). There is also a choice for the father/daughter wedding dance songs, the wedding dance songs for mother and son (mother and groom), and a wedding dance songs for both sets of parents (with the bride and groom dancing with their new in-laws before reuniting). The last dance, like the first, belongs to the bride and groom alone. The music is usually the one used for the first dance, but choices for the last wedding dance songs of the night may be chosen. For your reference, listed below are the Top 10 Newest Wedding Dance songs and the Top 10 Most Requested Wedding Dance Songs.

Top 10 Newest Wedding Dance Songs

Lucky" by Jason Mraz featuring Colbie Caillet

Who will like it: The bride and groom and the rest of the lovebirds.

When to play it: For the first wedding dance song.

"Viva La Vida" by Coldplay Top

Who will like it: Everyone.

When to play it: During the cocktail hour or between dinner courses.

"Good Time" by Alan Jackson

Who will like it: The country-music lovers.

When to play it: Right after dinner.

"The Way I Am" by Ingrid Michaelson

Who will like it: The romantics and nostalgics.

When to play it: The cake cutting.

"Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" by Beyonce

Who will like it: All the single ladies.

When to play it: The bouquet toss.

"Beautiful" by Akon

Who will like it: Couples and hip-hop enthusiasts.

When to play it: As one of the first slow songs after dinner.

"So What" by Pink

Who will like it: All the single guests.

When to play it: Following a slow song to get everyone back out on the dance floor.

"Just Dance" by Lady GaGa

Who will like it: Your guests who like to dance.

When to play it: Once the elderly guests have left and it's time to get the party started.

"Green Light" by John Legend

Who will like it: Couples and any singles who may have paired up at the end of the night.

When to play it: Toward the end of the evening.

"When the Night Comes" by Dan Auerbach

Who will like it: All the couples.

When to play it: As the last slow song at the end of the night.

Top 10 Most Requested Wedding Dance Songs

“Nothing Compares To You” by Sinead O’Connor

“Close To You” Maxi Priest

“Power of Love”. Jennifer Rush

“Love Me Tender” by Elvis Presley

“Can’t Help Falling in Love with You” by Elvis Presley

“Just the Way You Are” by Billy Joel

“When You Say Nothing At All” by Ronan Keating

“From This Moment On” by Shania Twain

“You Made Me Love You” by Al Jolson

“How Deep Is Your Love” by Bee Gees

Whatever your age or taste, you’re sure to make the memories last with music. Remember, the first place to start is to ask your Wedding Dance Band to help you with a list of their wedding dance songs. Use resources like this to become familiar with wedding dance songs and work together to have a list of music. If you are prepared and coordinated with your band, you’ll be making happy music for the rest of your life.

Should I Buy A Second Hand Car At Auction?

While it is possible to get a great deal and a bargain car at an auction, buying a used car this way isn’t always the ideal way to buy a car, there are better ways.

If it is your first time of buying a used car or you know very little about cars, then buying from an auction isn’t advisable. Perhaps the biggest problem with purchasing a car from an auction is the fact that that you have very little cover to fall back on if there should be any problem with the car. This is usually due to the auction house issuing a disclaimer, which many do, which states something such as “sold as seen”.

While many goods are covered by the Sale of Goods Act, some of the cleverer auction houses can get around this by altering the conditions of the sale by taking away the buyers rights under the Act.

If you do wish to purchase a car from an auction then it is advisable to visit an auction house several times before actually deciding to bid on a car. This way you can get used to the terminology used and the way auction houses work. It is also advisable to take someone with you who knows something about cars when you do decide to buy.

Most auction houses will hold preview days where you look at the car up for auction prior to bidding. This will give you a good chance to have a look at the vehicle.

You would be wise to consider having a vehicle data check done, which is a service that checks a vehicle’s history. It will show up really valuable things such as whether the car has been stolen, or the mileage tampered with etc.

Finally, it is essential that you know your spending limit. Don’t ever be tempted to go over that limit no matter how good a deal something may seem.

Car Insurance Advice

First of all you need to know that having car insurance isn't an option it's the law. Even so having car insurance should be done in a way so that you can get maximum benefits out of it.

You can get maximum benefits is you get a hole year policy.

Second you have to know the importance of the car insurance. Mostly the new drivers to the mistake of not knowing it or not understanding what can be the loss of not having the policy. They may suffer a lot by this huge mistake.

You are a driver or a car owner maybe you own a motorbike or another kind of motor vehicle than you absolutely must have car insurance.

Your insurance premiums can vary because of the following factors:

* Age, driving record, and the vehicle you own, vehicle's age and where do you live.

* Also before buying the car insurance, do a retrospection of the coverage components which are resumed below for you.

* Liability protects you in case the accident it's by your own fault. Covers the damages made to the other car and the medical expenses, the pain and sufferance of anyone injured.

* Comprehensive pays for the replacing of your car in case of theft or the repairs your car will need in case of fire, flood or powerful winds.

* Collision, regardless of whose fault was the accident this type of coverage will pay for the repairs to your car or the replacement of it on the market value.

Figure out what coverage you need and you will keep costs down. Many states don't require the same amount for the liability coverage. You can find out about these facts from your state department.

Also you could contact an insurance broker because he will know the current market and will get you the best deal.

By the way avoid the car insurance scams by making sure that your insurance company or agent is licensed by your state.

Shop around don't take the first offer you hear about.

And DO NOT PAY IN CASH! (This can be an easy scam to pull and you don't know how many people fall for this one.)

These being said good luck in finding a fitting car insurance, and let`s all hope that you won't really be using it often.

Memaknai hari Valentine

Dengan Puisi Valentine Day, kita mencoba berbagai rasa sesama kerebat, sahabat serta teman dekat. Biarpun hari valentine ini sebenarnya bukanlah hari yang istimewa bagi saya, karena setiap hari adalah valentine, kalau kita memaknai valentine itu sebagai hari kasih sayang. Dengan adanya hari yang kita khususkan tersebut, sebenarnya kita telah berbuat kurang bijaksana terhadap diri kita sendiri.

Peningkatan permintaan terhadap mawar segar menjelang perayaan Puisi Valentine mengakibatkan harga meningkat. Berdasarkan penuturan sejumlah pedagang yang ditemui Tempo, peningkatan harga mencapai tiga kali lipat. “Kalau mau valentine begini, harga naik jadi Rp 15.000,” ujar Hazeli, pemilik Mia Florist. Ia menambahkan, pada hari biasa setangkai bunga mawar dijual dengan harga Rp 5.000.

Ia mengatakan hal ini dikarenakan harga dari petani juga ikut naik. “Dari petaninya naik karena kalau dah mau valentine begini, pedagang biasanya pada dulu-duluan booking,” ujarnya. Ia menambahkan, harga mawar dari petani yang pada hari biasa hanya berkisar Rp 2.000 pertangkai naik menjadi Rp 5.000 pertangkai.

Kenaikan harga ini juga didorong oleh resiko yang dtanggung pedagang. Makmur, pemilik Segar Makmur Florist mengatakan menanggung resiko membuang barang dagangannya jika tidak laku. ”Mawar segar kan daya tahannya cuma3 hari,” ujar Makmur.

Kenaikan tidak hanya terjadi pada bungan mawar segar. Harga mawar plastik pun ikut naik menjelang perayaan valentine. Meskipun demikian kenaikan harga tidak terlalu besar. Mawar plastik yang biasanya dijual Rp 5.000 pertangkai, naik menjadi Rp 7.500.