Rabu, 7 November 2012

The Malaysian Insider :: Food

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The Malaysian Insider :: Food


Phew! French restaurants spared tax hike

Posted: 07 Nov 2012 04:56 PM PST

PARIS, Nov 8 — French food lovers and the nation's restaurant owners breathed a collective sigh of relief yesterday after Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici ruled out a doubling of the tax on eating out.

Under plans unveiled a day earlier, value added tax (VAT), on food served in bistros, cafes and restaurants would have been levied at 10 per cent from January 1, 2014, up from the current rate of seven percent.

Officials caused further dismay in the food world by refusing to rule out a move to apply the standard rate, which is going up to 20 per cent, to restaurant food.

But faced with an outcry from trade representatives who see VAT increases as destroying jobs, Moscovici yesterday insisted there were no such plans.

"The restaurant rate will be 10 per cent," Mosovici said. "I stress 10 per cent and not 20 per cent. Nobody is looking at putting restaurant food back on the standard rate." — AFP-Relaxnews


Six salty foods to watch out for

Posted: 07 Nov 2012 04:50 PM PST

American experts warn consumers of six salty foods to watch out, which includes bread, pizza, and even chicken. — AFP-Relaxnews pic

NEW YORK, Nov 8 — Salty snacks and the salt shaker aren't the only ways to add too much sodium to your diet. Yesterday, experts warned consumers of the "salty six" foods to look out for.

A new report from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association warns that most Americans consume about 3,400 mg of sodium a day - more than twice the AHA recommended limit of 1,500 mg.

"Excess sodium in our diets has less to do with what we're adding to our food and more to do with what's already in the food," said Linda Van Horn, PhD, RD, a research nutritionist at Northwestern University and an American Heart Association spokeswoman.

If high blood pressure and heart disease aren't enough to keep your sodium levels in check, a salty diet can also affect your appearance, causing puffiness in your face and body, swelling to make your jeans too tight, and bags under your eyes, the researchers say. 

Here are the "salty six" foods to watch out for, according to the report:

1. Bread and rolls - One piece of bread can have as much as 230 mg of sodium, which adds up quickly if you consume bread at every meal.

2. Cold cuts and cured meats - Cured meats are heavy in sodium, and a serving of deli or pre-packaged turkey can have as much as 1,050 mg of sodium.

3. Pizza - One slice can have up to 760 mg of sodium. Two slices and you've reached your limit for the day.

4. Poultry - Frozen breaded chicken nuggets contain around 600 mg of salt, while even packaged raw chicken often contains added sodium. Check your labels. 

5. Soup - A hearty bowl of soup warms you up quickly, but can also contain heaps of sodium - around 940 mg for one cup of canned soup. Again, prepare it fresh or keep an eye on labels.

6. Sandwiches - Seems simple enough, but combining breads with cured meats and cheeses ups your sodium, especially if you add salt-heavy condiments, such as mustard and ketchup. Aim for adding more vegetables instead, or only eating half a sandwich. — AFP-Relaxnews


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The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

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Outplayed champions Chelsea steal last-gasp win

Posted: 07 Nov 2012 03:26 PM PST

Shakhtar's Tomas Hubschman (right) tackles Chelsea's Torres at Stamford Bridge in London November 7, 2012. — Reuters pic

LONDON, Nov 8 — European champions Chelsea, largely outplayed by impressive Shakhtar Donetsk, scored an unlikely 3-2 Champions League victory when substitute Victor Moses scored with a thumping header deep into stoppage time yesterday.

The Ukrainian champions, who had been unbeaten in 18 matches in all competitions this season including their stylish 2-1 win over Chelsea in Donetsk two weeks ago, seemed all set for a well-deserved point at Stamford Bridge when Moses rose unmarked at a corner to score.

The goal immediately transformed Chelsea's chances of qualifying for the knockout round, moving the Londoners on to seven points in Group E — the same as Shakhtar. Juventus (six) follow with FC Nordsjaelland on one with two games remaining.

Shakhtar had looked the better team for long periods with midfielder Willian, who is not currently in the Brazil squad, running the match with an inspired performance that has made him a target for several English Premier League clubs — including Chelsea.

He scored both of Shakhtar's goals and left Chelsea's players trailing in his wake, trying to take the ball off him as he ran the game.

Chelsea, who drew 2-2 with Juventus in their last home group match, started without the injured Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard and with John Terry on the bench because coach Roberto Di Matteo did not think he was match fit after his four-match domestic suspension.

Despite that, they got off to a good start when Fernando Torres scored after six minutes.

Spain striker Torres profited from the first of two costly mistakes by goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov.

Pyatov, dithering with a clearance, kicked the ball straight at Torres who charged it down sending the ball into the net.

Shakhtar were level three minutes later when Willian side-footed home from close range after Fernandinho made a powerful run through the fragile left side of Chelsea's defence where youngster Ryan Bertrand had a torrid time.

Fernandinho tore into the open space and cut back for Willian who slotted in from close range off goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Shakhtar, who last lost a match a year ago, then took control with Willian, Henrik Mkhitaryan and Alex Teixeira putting Chelsea under continual pressure and they almost went ahead with a superb move that ended in Teizeira firing narrowly wide.

However, all their hard work was undone five minutes before halftime when Oscar took advantage of another Pyatov error to score into an unguarded net from long range.

The goalkeeper, out of his penalty area, for some reason decided to head the ball upfield instead of kicking it. The header went straight to Oscar, who added to the two goals he scored against Juventus, by firing a perfectly struck 35-metre shot over Pyatov's head and into the net.

Shakhtar levelled again two minutes after the break when Willian planted the ball home after another excellent build-up involving Ferrnandinho and Darijo Srna, the Shakhtar captain.

His perfect pass found Willian who sidefooted past Cech again. Razvan Rat then hit the bar for Shakhtar but they escaped at the other end when John Obi Mikel had a header disallowed when he drifted offside for a free-kick.

Chelsea coach Roberto Di Matteo sent on Moses for Oscar with 10 minutes to play and with the last action of the game, his gamble paid off.

The Shakhtar defenders took their eye off him for a second at a corner, but that was enough for him to rise unmarked and thunder the ball in. — Reuters

United through to last 16 with late win at Braga

Posted: 07 Nov 2012 03:21 PM PST

Manchester United players celebrate scoring against Braga at the Municipal stadium in Braga, November 7, 2012.—Reuters pic

LISBON, Nov 8 — Late goals from substitute Robin Van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez earned Manchester United a place in the last 16 of the Champions League with a 3-1 comeback win at Braga yesterday.

In a match interrupted for 10 minutes by floodlight failure, the hosts went ahead early in the second half through an Alan penalty kick.

United struck back when Van Persie came off the bench and punished a blunder by Braga keeper Beto, who inexplicably rushed out of his goal and was caught in no man's land.

Rooney put United ahead from the penalty spot soon after and, with Braga in disarray, Hernandez made it 3-1 in injury time after a goal-mouth muddle.

"Those last 10 minutes went really badly for us. What a shame," Braga midfielder Ruben Micael told Portuguese television.

Group H leaders United have 12 points from four games. Cluj and Galatasaray are on four points, with Braga on three.

Midfielder Ryan Giggs said United had made up for last year's failure to progress from the group stage. "I think we were all disappointed (last year)," he told Sky Sports. "It was not good enough and we knew we had to do something about it and we have. Long may it continue.

"We have really good strength in depth at the moment and it shows with Chris Smalling playing his first game in a long time tonight. It is good to have that strength when you have two games in a week and it is looking good for us."

United coach Alex Ferguson made several changes to the side who beat Arsenal 2-1 in the Premier League over the weekend, bringing in Nani, Anderson and Giggs to the midfield and picking Danny Welbeck to spearhead the attack with Hernandez, leaving Van Persie on the bench to start with.

Centre back Smalling played for the first time since injuring his metatarsal in the pre-season.

The changes did not pay off and United were poor in the first half, coming to life only after Van Persie was sent on with 25 minutes on the clock.

Braga suffered a near-repeat of their fortunes at Old Trafford two weeks ago, when they gave away a 2-0 lead and lost 3-2.

"It's sad and we did not deserve it but we made mistakes and games are settled like that. Still, we played a really good match, even better than at Old Trafford," Braga coach Jose Peseiro said. — Reuters

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The Malaysian Insider :: Showbiz

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The Civil Wars cancel tour citing ‘internal discord’

Posted: 07 Nov 2012 05:25 AM PST

"Barton Hollow", the Grammy-winning album of The Civil Wars.©All Rights Reserved

LOS ANGELES, Nov 7 — Grammy Award-winning duo The Civil Wars announced yesterday that they were cancelling all of their forthcoming tour dates.

The American duo of Joy Williams and John Paul White, who shot to fame in 2011 with their debut album "Barton Hollow", were due to complete a European tour and had planned dates for a 2013 tour of Australia and New Zealand.

In an email sent to fans of the group, The Civil Wars stated: "We sincerely apologise for the cancelling of all of our tour dates. It is something we deeply regret.

"However, due to internal discord and irreconcilable differences of ambition we are unable to continue as a touring entity at this time.

"We thank each and every one of you for your amazing love & support. Our sincere hope is to have new music for you in 2013."

The language used in the email has led many fans to speculate that the duo is splitting up despite the expressed wish to put out new music.

The group also advised fans who had already incurred costs, such as travel reservations, for the now-canceled tour to email info@thecivilwars.com with scans of receipts. — AFP/Relaxnews

Reggae legends bury rivalry for ‘peace’ tour

Posted: 06 Nov 2012 04:23 PM PST

Blondy performs during a concert in Abidjan November 4, 2012. ― Reuters pic

ABIDJAN, Nov 7 ― As darkness falls over Ivory Coast's lagoon-side commercial capital a steady thumping cuts through the tropical night.

But where once the thud of heavy weapons set the Abidjan's residents scrambling indoors for cover, tonight it is a reggae bass line that draws them out.

Here, little over a year ago, supporters of then-president Laurent Gbagbo and his rival Alassane Ouattara were fighting a brief post-election civil war, the final deadly showdown of a decade-long political crisis.

After years teetering precariously between war and peace, the flames of division, xenophopia and anger ― fanned in no small degree by some of the country's most famous musicians ― exploded into a conflict in which more than 3,000 people died.

One of Ivory Coast's leading reggae artists, Serge Kassy, even rose to become a leader and organiser of Gbagbo's Young Patriots street militia ― a group accused of numerous atrocities during the war.

Kassy is now in exile.

"When I looked at the musical scene in Ivory Coast, I realised that we ourselves went too far," said Asalfo Traore of the zouglou band Magic System, one of the few groups that refused to take sides during the crisis years.

"It was when everything was ruined that we wanted to glue the pieces back together. But it was too late."

Now, long-divided musicians are once again coming together, hoping to use their influence, so destructive for so long, to help Ivory Coast heal its deep wounds, and the country's leading rival reggae artists are showing the way.

Reggae rivalry

The long feud between Alpha Blondy and Tiken Jah Fakoly is a thing of legend in the reggae world, though neither has been willing to say what was behind the bad blood.

Both men come from Ivory Coast's arid north and share a musical genre. But the similarities stop there.

Alpha, considered the father of Ivorian reggae, takes the stage in Abidjan clad in a shimmering pink suit, golden tie and Panama hat of an urban dandy.

Tiken wears the traditional flowing robes of his northern Malinke tribe.

During the crisis, Alpha remained in Ivory Coast, while Tiken, a vocal critic of Gbagbo's regime, went into exile in neighbouring Mali.

They had so successfully avoided each other during their long parallel careers that before he picked up the phone to approach Alpha with the idea of uniting for a series of peace concerts, Tiken claimed they'd met only twice.

"Before going to the Ivorians to ask them to move towards reconciliation, it was important for us to show a major sign. That's what we did," Tiken told Reuters.

Out of a meeting in Paris was born a simple idea: six concerts in six towns across a country once split between a rebel north and government-held south, bringing together musicians from across the political spectrum to push for peace.

"No one's died over the problems between Tiken and me," said Alpha.

"There are things that are more serious than our little spats, our pride and our vanities."

Uniting the Ivorian music scene proved relatively easy in the end. Uniting the country could prove a tougher task.

Business as usual

Some 18 months since the war ended, reconciliation in Ivory Coast is going nowhere.

Though Ouattara is praised by international partners for quickly turning around the economy, critics complain he has done little to foster unity. He has so far refused to prosecute those among his supporters accused of atrocities during the war.

Meanwhile, Gbagbo, who lost the run-off election but garnered 46 per cent of votes, is in The Hague on war crimes charges.

The leaders of his FPI political party are either dead, in jail or living in exile, from where they are accused by United Nations investigators of organising deadly armed raids on Ivorian police, military and infrastructure targets.

"People came here for Alpha, Tiken Jah and artists they only ever see on TV, not for reconciliation," said high school teacher Michel Loua in Gagnoa, the second stop on the tour in Gbagbo's home region.

"The politicians have made a business of it. They talk up reconciliation when it suits them, otherwise they could care less," he said.

Unity was never a problem, Alpha said, until politicians began to play the ethnic identity card in the struggle for power that followed the death of independence President Felix Houphouet-Boigny in 1993.

And even after the violence and massacres, it is still not the problem today.

"Ivorians are not divided. That's what I discovered," he said on the last night of the tour.

"If there are people that need reconciliation, it's not the artists or the people. It's the politicians," he said.

Minutes later he was on stage singing "Course au Pouvoir", a 16-year-old song that has found new relevance today with its lyrics: "There's blood on the road that leads to the tower of power. Innocent blood."

Having wrapped up their tour, Tiken, Alpha and the rest of the musicians are due to meet with President Ouattara and plan to call for the release of all pro-Gbagbo prisoners not accused of involvement and killings as a sign of good will.

The move has been called for by human rights groups as well as the FPI, who list it as one of their pre-conditions for dialogue.

And though Ouattara has given no indication he is open to the possibility, many feel it is an unavoidable step towards lasting peace. ― Reuters

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The Malaysian Insider :: Features

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Looking old linked to more heart risks

Posted: 07 Nov 2012 04:45 AM PST

WASHINGTON, Nov 7 — If you look old, you might be at higher risk of heart trouble.

A study has found that people with several visible signs of aging have a higher risk of developing heart problems. — AFP pic

People with several visible signs of aging such as hair loss and fatty deposits around the eyes have a higher risk of developing heart problems than those of the same age who look younger, according to a study presented Tuesday.

"The visible signs of aging reflect physiologic or biological age, not chronological age, and are independent of chronological age," Anne Tybjaerg-Hansen, senior author of the study and professor at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, said in a statement.

Tybjaerg-Hansen presented the results at an annual conference held by the American Heart Association in Los Angeles.

The study, focused on almost 11,000 people aged 40 and older, found that those who had three to four aging signs had a 57 per cent increased risk of heart attack and a 39 per cent increased risk for heart disease.

Among the aging signs cited were a receding hairline at the temples, baldness at the crown of the head, earlobe creases and yellow fatty deposits around the eyelids.

Over the course of 35 years of follow-up, 3,401 of the participants developed heart disease and 1,708 had a heart attack.

"Individually and combined, these signs predicted heart attack and heart disease independent of traditional risk factors," said the American Heart Association. "Fatty deposits around the eye were the strongest individual predictor of both heart attack and heart disease."

The risk of having a heart attack and developing heart disease increased with each additional sign of aging among both men and women, who made up 45 per cent of survey participants. The strongest individual predictor of both were fatty deposits around the eyes.

The highest risks were observed among those in their 70s and those with several signs of aging.

"Checking these visible aging signs should be a routine part of every doctor's physical examination," Tybjaerg-Hansen said. — AFP/Relaxnews

Liquor costs more at state-owned stores in US

Posted: 07 Nov 2012 03:26 AM PST

Among the water-logged debris in front of this home, bottles of liquor, some unopened, sit atop a dresser in Bay Head, New Jersey, November 6, 2012 as recovery efforts continue in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. — Reuters pic

BOSTON, Nov 6 — US states that have a monopoly over their liquor sales seem to charge slightly more for alcohol than states without such control, the so-called "license states," according to a US study.

As of February 2012, 18 control states in the United States set the price of liquor sold to their retail stores, and 13 of those also set the price for the general public. The other states sell liquor licenses to private business owners, who set their own prices.

"We found that the average price of liquor is lower in license states. It was on average US$2 (RM6.10) lower per product, which is a 7 per cent difference," said lead author Michael Siegel, a researcher from the Boston University School of Public Health.

Generally, in states and area that have considered putting control of liquor prices in the hands of private businesses, the public has supported privatization.

But the researchers note that while control states tend to charge slightly more for liquor, they also make a lot more money from their liquor sales.

"When legislators look at privatization, they just don't know how they're going to make up the money," said William Kerr, of the Public Health Institute's Alcohol Research Group in Emeryville, California, who was not involved with the research.

The study, which appeared in the journal Addiction, compared the prices of 74 popular liquor brands in the 13 retail control states and 50 private stores in license states, finding that the prices varied by brand.

But not all liquor prices were more expensive in control states. The researchers found that 21 brands were, on average, more expensive in license states.

Siegel told Reuters Health that the average price difference between control and license states may be enough to influence how much people drink.

"There is convincing evidence in the literature that control states have lower alcohol consumption than the license states," he said.

He and his colleagues also wrote that control states have been found to have lower rates of heavy drinking and underage alcohol-related deaths. But that may be due to other reasons, such as access to alcohol and law enforcement.

Past research has found that license states tend to have more liquor stores in one area, which the researchers say would be expected to drive down prices.

Control states may also have higher prices because they have costs that aren't paid for by license fees or liquor sales taxes — both of which are collected by license states. — Reuters

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The Malaysian Insider :: Breaking Views

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Coe formally elected BOA chairman

Posted: 07 Nov 2012 07:51 AM PST

Sebastian Coe, chairman of the organising committee for the London Olympics speaks at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, central England October 10, 2012. — Reuters pic

LONDON, Nov 7 — Sebastian Coe, chief organiser for the 2012 London Games, was formally elected as chairman of the British Olympic Association (BOA) today.

The double Olympic 1,500 metres champion, who stood unopposed after British hockey chief Richard Leman stepped aside last month, will serve a four-year term.

"Following the tremendous impact of the London 2012 Games, the BOA has an important role to play in ensuring the growth of the Olympic movement throughout the UK and the continued success and support of Team GB at future Olympic Games," Coe said in a statement.

"I am committed to making sure the benefits of hosting the Olympic and Paralympic Games are maximised and this role gives me an excellent platform to continue to serve and promote British Olympic sport both in the UK and globally." — Reuters

Insentif untuk pelajar ambil aliran sains disambut baik

Posted: 07 Nov 2012 07:47 AM PST

KUALA LUMPUR, 7 Nov — Pelbagai pihak menyambut baik cadangan pemberian insentif kepada pelajar yang mengambil aliran sains seperti yang diumumkan Timbalan Perdana Menteri Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin semalam.

Beliau yang juga Menteri Pelajaran berkata antara insentif itu ialah penimbangan pemberian cukai kepada ibu bapa dan biasiswa serta dermasiswa kepada pelajar.

Menurut Muhyiddin (foto fail), langkah itu dibuat bagi maningkat jumlah pelajar sains yang masih rendah dan jauh daripada sasaran.

Menyambut baik langkah itu, Presiden Majlis Permuafakatan Persatuan Ibu Bapa dan Guru (PIBG) Nasional, Datuk Dr Ali Hasan, berkata kerajaan bagaimanapun memerlukan perancangan yang teliti untuk mencapai sasarannya.

"Pendekatan melalui kokurikulum perlu diberikan penekanan supaya ia menjadi lebih menarik dan mengubah persepsi pelajar bahawa sains ialah mata pelajaran yang susah dan membosankan.

"Bukan itu sahaja, cara mengajar sains juga perlu diubah dari pembelajaran secara teori kepada amali bagi memberikan pelajar merasai sendiri pengalaman mengendalikan bahan sains secara lapangan," katanya.

Selain itu menurut Ali, berkata bukan sahaja pelajar, malah guru juga perlu diberikan insentif istimewa seperti diberi peluang lawatan sambil belajar atau menjalani latihan di jabatan berkaitan sains bagi menimba pengalaman.

"Pengalaman yang mereka dapat ketika mengikuti latihan di jabatan tersebut akan memberikan lebih pengetahuan berguna kepada mereka untuk berhadapan dengan para pelajar, memandangkan mereka memainkan peranan penting dalam sesi pembelanjaran pelajar," katanya.

Di samping itu, beliau berkata para guru juga perlu dihargai dengan menawarkan mereka dengan gaji yang lebih lumayan lebih-lebih lagi kepada guru mata pelajaran sains.

Dengan nada yang sama, Presiden Kesatuan Perkhidmatan Perguruan Kebangsaan (NUTP) Hashim Adnan berkata usaha mewujudkan kesedaran di kalangan pelajar mengenai aliran sains perlu dipertingkatkan.

Ini adalah kerana kesedaran pelajar untuk mengikuti aliran sains masih rendah, katanya.

"Di samping menggalakkan mereka dengan pemberian insentif seperti buku percuma dan biasiswa, makmal sains yang lengkap dengan kelengkapan canggih juga penting supaya dapat memberi semangat kepada mereka untuk belajar," katanya.

Hashim berkata beliau mendapati buku mata pelajaran sains kebanyakannya dijual dengan harga yang tinggi dan ini sama sekali membebankan ibu bapa terutama yang berpendapatan rendah.

"Dengan pemberian buku sains secara percuma, ia sedikit sebanyak dapat mengurangkan bebanan mereka," tambahnya.

Walau bagaimanapun, Pengerusi Persatuan Ibu Bapa Untuk Pendidikan Malaysia (PAGE) Datin Noor Azimah Abdul Rahim mencadangkan agar insentif lebih lumayan diberikan kepada pelajar daripada insentif pengecualian cukai kepada ibu bapa mereka.

Katanya ini kerana tidak semua ibu bapa perlu membayar cukai, jadi insentif tersebut tidak memberi manfaat kepada mereka secara menyeluruh.

"Selain itu, insentif menghantar pelajar yang cemerlang dalam bidang sains ke universiti luar negara adalah lebih bermakna dan memberi semangat kepada mereka untuk menyelami bidang sains dengan mendalam.

"Dengan insentif yang lumayan sebegini, mereka akan lebih berusaha kerana tidak ramai ibu bapa di negara ini yang mampu menghantar anak mereka melanjutkan pelajaran ke luar negara ekoran yuran pengajian yang tinggi," katanya. — Bernama

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The Malaysian Insider :: Books

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Corsican epic wins France’s top book prize

Posted: 07 Nov 2012 05:55 AM PST

PARIS, Nov 7 — France's top literary prize, the Goncourt, today went to Jerome Ferrari for a Corsican epic, set in a bar on the violence-wracked Mediterranean island.

French writer Jerome Ferrari. — AFP pic

"Le Sermon de la Chute de Rome" ("The Sermon of the Fall of Rome") tells of a young man who packs in his philosophy studies to open a bar with an old friend, with the aim of turning it into a haven of peace and friendship.

But things take a radically different turn as drink, sex, corruption — and the violence for which Corsica has become known — cast their shadow over the young idealists' plans.

Himself a philosophy teacher, currently at the French lycee in Abu Dhabi, the French novelist previously taught in the Corsican capital Ajaccio.

The novel's win comes with Corsica making headlines over an increase in violence, with 38 murders and 117 attempted murders since the start of 2011 on an island with a population of just over 300,000 — the highest homicide rate in Europe.

Most of the slayings, police believe, have been linked to feuds over control of protection rackets targeting tourist businesses and lucrative property development on an island that remains relatively unspoiled. — AFP/Relaxnews


LVMH releases coffee table book on its wines and bubbly

Posted: 06 Nov 2012 07:55 PM PST

PARIS, Nov 7 — Luxury brand Louis Vuitton Moët & Chandon, whose portfolio of wine and spirit brands includes names like Hennessy, Dom Pérignon, Veuve Clicquot and Krug, has released a coffee table book that gives readers a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the estates that produce its world famous wines and bubbly.

Penned by travel writer Alain Stella and photographed by Francis Hammond, the 280-page hard cover "French Wine Chateaux" traces the history, wine and spirit-making traditions of some of the most luxurious and historic estates in the world.

The wines are also accompanied by tasting notes from cellar masters, as well as recipes from some of France's top, Michelin-starred chefs including Yannick Alléno, head chef of luxury hotel Le Meurice in Paris, and Dom Pérignon chef Pascal Tingaud.

Published by Flammarion, "French Wine Châteaux: Distinctive Vintages and Their Estates" was released this week in the UK and retails for £55 (RM270).

The US release is scheduled for February 5, 2013 and will retail for US$85.

Similar titles that explore old winery estates in France include "Great Family Wine Estates of France: Style, Tradition, Home," by Solvi dos Santos and Florence Brutton, and "Larousse Wine: The World's Greatest Vines, Estates and Regions." — AFP/Relaxnews


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The Malaysian Insider :: Bahasa

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Putrajaya sedia dialog dengan Hindraf isu libatkan kaum India

Posted: 07 Nov 2012 02:37 AM PST

KUALA LUMPUR, 7 Nov — Putrajaya hari ini membuat jemputan terbuka kepada badan bukan kerajaan dan pertubuhan-pertubuhan yang mewakili masyarakat India bagi membincangkan masalah-masalah yang melanda mereka.

Jemputan berkenaan yang turut diajukan kepada pertubuhan haram masyarakat India daripada Barisan Bertindak Hak-Hak Hindu (Hindraf) untuk berdialog bagi menyelesaikan masalah kumpulan itu.

Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz (foto fail) berkata, kerajaan memandang berat isu berkaitan masyarakat India dan tidak mahu kumpulan itu berasa dipinggirkan.

"Walaupun ada kumpulan yang bergerak secara ekstrem dalam memperjuangkan permintaan mereka, tapi kerajaan sedia duduk berbincang dengan semua kumpulan yang mewakili masyarakat India termasuk Hindraf.

"Saya memberi jaminan bahawa Perdana Menteri (Datuk Seri Najib Razak) bersedia untuk berbincang bagi menyelesaikan masalah yang dibangkitkan kumpulan berkenaan," katanya pada sidang media di pejabatnya di Parlimen di sini.

Ahli Parlimen Padang Rengas itu turut berkata, kerajaan menyedari bahawa terdapat segelintir masyarakat India di negara yang masih merasa terpinggirkan walaupun kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN) jelasnya telah memberikan pelbagai inisiatif dan bantuan kepada mereka.

"Bukan sebab mereka marah kepada kerajaan ... tapi mereka rasa seolah-olah dipinggirkan dan tidak diberi layanan yang adil oleh kerajaan.

"Jadi kerajaan fikir lebih baik duduk berbincang dan dengar luahan mereka. Kalau mereka tak gembira, ini bermakna ada sebab-sebab tertentu...jadi kita perlu ambil tahu," kata menteri yang memegang portfolio undang-undang itu lagi.

Ditanya adakah peranan MIC bagi membela komuniti itu gagal, Nazri menjelaskan, parti komponen yang mewakili masyarakat India dalam BN itu telah menjalankan peranan mereka dengan baik, namun kerajaan perlu mendengar keluhan komuniti India di luar MIC.

"MIC sudah buat yang terbaik tapi kerajaan mahu mendekati kumpulan lain," katanya kepada pemberita.

"Kita sedar ada kumpulan lain di luar daripada MIC yang perlu kita dengar luahan mereka."

Nazri turut menegaskan, keperluan untuk masyarakat India dirasakan lebih kritikal.

"Kerajaan memberi layanan yang sama kepada semua kaum ... tapi buat masa ini masyarakat India dirasakan lebih kritikal.

"Kalau kita sekat Hindraf dan hanya bincang dengan segelintir kumpulan India tertentu sahaja bermakna ia tidak menyeluruh. Walau kita sedar Hindraf lebih vokal, tapi Perdana Menteri sedia untuk mendengar."

Najib ucap tahniah pada Obama dipilih semula sebagai Presiden Amerika

Posted: 07 Nov 2012 01:42 AM PST

Presiden Obama dengan isteri Michelle dan anak-anak perempuan Malia (kanan) dan Sasha pada perhimpunan kemenangan pilihan raya Presiden di Chicago, 7 Nov 2012. — Foto Reuters

KUALA LUMPUR, 7 Nov — Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak hari ini mengucapkan tahniah kepada Barack Obama kerana dipilih semula sebagai Presiden Amerika Syarikat.

"Dengan kemenangannya dalam pilihan raya bersejarah ini, Presiden itu mempunyai peluang yang unik untuk merealisasikan visinya untuk Amerika Syarikat," katanya dalam satu kenyataan yang dikeluarkan di sini, hari ini.

Najib berharap Obama akan meneruskan usahanya memupuk persefahaman dan hormat menghormati antara Amerika dan umat Islam di seluruh dunia.

"Ramai rakyat Malaysia mengikuti dengan penuh minat kempen pilihan raya Presiden — dan sebagai sebuah negara Islam sederhana, Malaysia sentiasa bersedia membantu Amerika, kerana ia mahu lebih melibatkan diri dengan mereka yang beragama Islam," katanya.

Najib juga berkata beliau berasa bangga berjumpa dengan Presiden itu semasa penggal pertamanya dan "kami berikrar untuk membangunkan perkongsian yang semakin meningkat antara kedua buah negara".

"Hubungan ini semakin kukuh dan saya berharap ia akan berterusan pada masa depan agar kami dapat mengekalkan keamanan, kestabilan dan kemakmuran serantau kepada rakyat," katanya. — Bernama

Kredit: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com
 

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