Sunday 23 November 2008

FDIC may exclude shortest-term loans from insurance plan: report

Nov 21 (Reuters) - Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) staffers are likely to recommend exclusion of the shortest-term loans from a $1.4 trillion debt-insurance program, Bloomberg reported, citing a person briefed on the plan.

The exclusion of loans that mature in 30 days or less, which would encompass overnight interbank loans at the rate targeted by the U.S. Federal Reserve, would help the Fed avoid further unpredictable swings in the country's main interest rate, the news agency reported.

FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair and other board members are scheduled to vote on Friday on regulations governing the plan, it said.

The Fed has failed for two months to keep the federal funds rate close to the target set by policy makers because of more than $1 trillion of loans flooding the banking system, the report said.

The original FDIC proposal required fees to insure debt, spurring complaints that it would lead to an exodus from the $250 billion market for overnight loans between banks, it said.

Companies including JPMorgan Chase & Co (JPM.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Bank of America Corp (BAC.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said the original proposal threatened to make the overnight federal funds market too costly compared with alternatives such as direct loans from the Fed, the report said.

Taken from :http://www.reuters.com

Friday 21 November 2008

Goa Seplawan (Seplawan Cave)



Gap high cliffs flank children stairs toward the mouth of the cave Seplawan located in one of the top Menoreh in Mountain Village Donorejo, Subdistrict Kaligesing, Purworejo regency, Central Java. Hundreds of children household help to decrease its way toward the mouth of a cave filled stalaktit and Stalagmite it.

The ancient mountains that have been established since tens of million years that extends from Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta, to Purworejo regency, Central Java. The process has been the natural evolution of the mountains that form the surface in such a way that presents a panorama of natural wonders. At the peak of the mountain-top, there are a number of cave, such as Goa in Kiskendo Kulon Progo, Goa Seplawan in Newton Aycliffe, and the results of a number of artificial grotto culture in ancient time around Queenstown.

Seplawan cave that is at the height of approximately 800 meters above sea level is quite interesting. The mouth of the cave resembles the funnel splay at the top and narrow at the neck. The surface of the mouth of the cave is quite broad and sloping evolutif to be continually widening due to erosion. Erosion occurs in the mouth of the cave, for example, direct "swallowed" by a cave-shaped neck upright, like wells. Diameter neck cave is 15 meters, with a depth of around 12 meters.

First is not easy to reach Goa Seplawan. Just a few years, these people can be easily explored it. Before be, the basic cave is muddy and watery so difficult to explore. In any room in the dark. However, now the Government has Purworejo regency build footpaths, other than to provide lighting in the cave so that tourists can enjoy comfortable with the location.

Development facility is not simply consider the beauty cave, but more than that, namely because the cave Seplawan also leave impressions, the impressions the history of ancient civilization. In one altar in the cave walls, because there are parts that even resembles altar in the cave wall-gold statue was found at approximately 9 centimeters, with a rate of 22 carat gold. The statue consists of a pair of men and women who are hand in hand.

Believed, is the statue of Siva and Goddess Badrawati. Now the gold statuette is stored in the National Museum, Jakarta. As a sign that the statue was found in the cave Seplawan, didirikanlah replica of the statue in front of the cave mouth. Replica statue was built with a size far larger than the size that resembles the original monument.

Bali Tourism

KUTA BEACH

Description: Kuta is the center of entertainments and has become the favorite destination of multinational visitors. It has everything a tourist looks for i.e. white-sandy beach, rows of excellent bars and restaurants, discotheques, and entertainment spots for an enjoyable nightlife. Rows of kiosks selling souvenirs and everything a tourist need such as garments or latest CDs and cassettes are available along the main road with reasonable prices.
Location: 11 km south of Denpasar. Kuta can be easily reached by public transport from Tegal bemo station in 30 minutes.

NUSA DUA BEACH

Description: Nusa Dua enclave has the most complete tourist facilities in Bali, including luxurious hotels, sporting facilities, shopping center and international convention hall, to mention a few. The empty, arid land of Nusa Dua started to develop in 1974 and the government trusted the management to Bali Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC).

Location: The distance between Nusa Dua and Denpasar is 30 km, through Kuta to the south, 12 km from the Ngurah Rai International Airport.

SANUR BEACH

Description: Sanur has been known worldwide literally a century ago, when the deadly, horrendous battle of Puputan Badung took place on September 20, 1906 as the Dutch troops anchored here. This beach was first introduced into international community by a Belgian painter, A.T. Le Mayeur, who married a Balinese dancer Ni Polok, and stayed here since 1937 and often held painting exhibitions of his own.
The main attraction of Sanur is its calm beach. In the south east, one can observe Nusa Penida Island across the sea and in the eastern side, the panoramic view of South Bali along with its range of mountains is a spectacular sight that should not be missed. In a bright afternoon the scenery is simply beautiful.

Location: Sanur is six km from Denpasar, one can get to this beach by car, motorcycle or regular public transportation.

BENOA HARBOUR

Description: Benoa is the marine activity hub of the island, for both domestic and international. Boating races are regularly held here with overseas participants hosted by Royal Bali Yacht Club, RBYC. From this harbor visitors can extend their vacation to other destinations, including Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida and Lombok, on their own boats or on cruises available here such as Bali Hai Cruise, The Bounty, Nusa Lembongan, to mention a few.

Location: This harbor is six km to the south from Denpasar.

SOKA BEACH

Description: Soka is one of the most beautiful beaches in western part of Bali. Panorama view with chains of hills forms natural walls on the west side through to Batukaru Mountain Range on the north. On the eastside, Agung Mountain is seen in the distance and Indonesian ocean is on the south with the eastern tip of east Java in the backdrop.
Soka beach hides thousand of natural miracles and legends. One can find a massive coral stone with size of about 30 cubic meters surrounded by sand and sea water believed to be cooking pot of Balinese mighty man named Kebo Iwa. On the west side of the cooking pot, there is a another coral stone depicting a traditional stove about 10x20 meters in size believed as the stove on which the mighty Kebo Iwa cooked his meal.

Location: Soka beach is in Antap Village, sub-district of Selamadeg, Tabanan, 45 km from Denpasar or 84 km from Gilimanuk


Karangasem
The regency of Karangasem is one of the nine regency in Bali, situated in the eastern part of Bali. The distance between Karangasem Regency and the International Airport located in Denpasar is about 88 km (53 miles).



Tabanan
Tabanan regency is one of 8 districts/1 city which have agriculture characteristic, with width of the area about 893.33 km² (19.9% from width of Bali island). Administratively Tabanan regency divided into 8 subdistricts, 10.



Buleleng
The regency of Buleleng consists of 9 Subdistrict that covers 146 administrative village and traditional village 163 with width near 1.365.88 kilometers. The distance between Buleleng Regency and the Denpasar is about 88 km (53 miles).