Peter Eastgate

He Joins Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth and Others

Peter Eastgate, the 22-year-old World Series of Poker main event champion, has become a client of the poker player representation agency Poker Royalty.The Denmark native is now the newest “name” poker player thanks to his WSOP championship win, and Poker Royalty, the poker player representation firm with a who’s-who list of clients, plans on helping him earn much more than the $9.1 million he won Tuesday morning.Poker Royalty, which just opened a European office in London last month, represents what it call the kings and queens of poker, and they include Daniel Negreanu, fellow Dane Gus Hansen, Patrik Antonius, Scotty Nguyen, Greg Raymer, Phil Hellmuth, and others.The next question is which online poker room Eastgate will sign on with as a professional. He was one of PokerStars’ “PokerStars Six,” which the site built an online promotion around. (The other five final table players on the “six” team were runner-up Ivan Demidov, third-place finisher Dennis Phillips, fourth-place finisher Ylon Schwartz, sixth-place finisher Darus Suharto, and seventh-place finisher David Rheem.)Eastgate should prove to be a marketable player in Europe for whichever site signs him. The Dane is still mastering the English language, but for the poker-mad continent that is Europe, it seems the sky’s the limit for him.Poker Royalty has been successful is landing non-poker advertising gigs for some of their clients. Hellmuth appeared on WSOP-sponsor Milwaukee Best’s beer cans this summer, Negreanu, Hellmuth, and Nguyen all have starred in a Diet Pepsi commercial, and Gavin Smith served as the national spokesman for Black Velvet Canadian Whiskey

BY: BOB PAJICH bob.pajich@cardplayer.com
PUBLISHED: Wednesday Nov 12, 2008 02:35 PM

Obama seeks more help for ailing auto industry

The Associated Press , Washington Wed, 11/12/2008 5:25 PM World World leaders hoping to meet President-elect Barack Obama at an economic summit in the U.S. capital this weekend will be disappointed. But as he works on forming his new government, Obama is finding it difficult to remain on the sidelines as Democrats in Congress line up in support of a financial bailout for the ailing U.S. auto industry. Obama has urged the Bush administration to do more to help U.S. automakers and aides said he raised the issue with President George W. Bush on Monday in their first face-to-face meeting at the Oval Office. Officials familiar with the conversation Monday said the president replied he was open to the idea. Obama does not plan to be in Washington or receive foreign visitors in Chicago over the weekend. He long ago ruled out attending this weekend's summit, saying the U.S. has only one president at a time, and it's still Bush. Before the election, Bush announced that the world's 20 largest industrialized nations and emerging economies would meet in Washington this Saturday. Obama's aides plan to keep tabs on - and possibly participate in - the summit where world powers hope to craft remedies to the global financial crisis. "We have one president at a time, and it's important that the president can speak for the United States at the summit," John Podesta, Obama's transition chief, told reporters Tuesday. Podesta, however, noted that Obama had urged such a summit during the presidential campaign. Leaders attending the G-20 meeting are certainly interested in Obama's economic stance. In phone calls last week, Obama accepted congratulations from leaders of countries including Canada, France, Italy, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Spain. The global financial crisis was among the topics he discussed with key U.S. allies. On Tuesday, he spoke with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil, Pope Benedict XVI, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India, King Abdullah II of Jordan and President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya, the homeland of Obama's father. The president-elect held his first news conference last Friday after he and Vice President-elect Joe Biden met privately with economic advisers. Obama's message: "We are facing the greatest economic challenge of our lifetime, and we're going to have to act swiftly to resolve it." A new Associated Press-GfK poll found nearly three quarters of Americans now saying they think Obama will make the changes needed to revive the struggling U.S. economy after his inauguration on Jan. 20. That's a greater percentage of people expressing confidence in the Obama's campaign message of hope and change than the 52 percent who actually voted for him a week ago. It includes 44 percent of Republicans - an indication that many people who did not pick him are caught up in the wave of optimism that has swept the country since the 47-year-old Illinois senator's groundbreaking election to the highest office in the country. On Tuesday, Obama huddled in private in Chicago with top advisers planning for the transfer of presidential power. He took a break only for a short public appearance to place a wreath at a memorial honoring fallen troops to mark the Veterans Day holiday. His aides say no Cabinet positions are to be announced this week, though White House staff positions may be filled later in the week. On Tuesday, Obama hired veteran Democrats Sam Nunn, a former chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Warren Christopher, President Bill Clinton's first secretary of state, to head his transition teams at the Pentagon and State Department, senior government officials and others said. Aides to Obama said the president-elect raised the idea with Bush of an administration point person on autos with a portfolio aimed at improving the long-term health of the companies. Bush repeated his position, recently stated by staff, that he is open to helping automakers. Also, amid discussions over whether a new economic stimulus measure is needed, Obama focused on his desire for it while Bush stressed that his main priority for any post-election action out of Congress is passage of a free trade agreement with Colombia, said people familiar with the conversation between the two men. The sources declined to be named publicly because of the private nature of the talks. Reflecting the delicate dance of a meeting between outgoing and incoming presidents, Bush repeated his position that he is open to helping the automakers without making firm commitments. "In no way did the president suggest that there was a quid pro quo," said White House press secretary Dana Perino. But, she added, "he did talk about the merits of free trade." In September, Congress approved $25 billion in loans to automakers to help them retool plans to build more fuel-efficient vehicles, and thus become more competitive in the global marketplace. Though the administration is working to give automakers quick access to that money, it still would likely not come fast enough - or in big enough amounts - to satisfy the drowning companies. Over the weekend, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid asked the administration to consider expanding the $700 billion bailout for financial firms to include car companies. The administration has concluded automakers are not eligible under the main, stock-purchase part of the program. The debate comes as General Motors, Ford and Chrysler are burning through cash and bleeding jobs. Analysts are predicting that GM, in particular, might not last the year without a government bailout. The AP-GfK survey found that seven in 10 of those surveyed, or 72 percent, voice confidence the president-elect will make the changes needed to revive the stalling economy. Highlighting anew how the Iraq war has faded as a paramount public concern, only half of people said they wanted Obama to make a U.S. troop withdrawal a top focus upon taking office. Instead, 84 percent said strengthening the economy should be a top-tier priority. Eighty percent also named creating jobs as a No. 1 order of business. The AP-GfK poll was conducted Nov. 6-10 and involved cell and landlines telephone interviews with 1,001 adults. It has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

‘Admiral Cheng Ho’ catches the eye of AGO

Abdul Khalik , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta Thu, 11/13/2008 7:49 AM Headlines
The Attorney General’s Office (AGO) has turned its attention to former justice and human rights minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra in a Rp 400 billion (US$36 million) graft case after all of his implicated former colleagues dropped his name on the witness stand.
Assistant attorney general for special crimes Marwan Effendi said Wednesday that Yusril, who played the lead role in TV series Cheng Ho, would be questioned next Tuesday.
“All suspects and witnesses have blamed him but we are yet to find indications of his involvement. But when we do, we will enforce the law,” Marwan said.
The AGO has arrested Syamsuddin Manan Sinaga, incumbent director general of legal administration at the ministry, and two of his predecessors, Romli Atmasasmita and Zul-karnain Yunus, over their involvement in the case.
The case centers on the distribution of funds allegedly embezzled from a legal administration website run by the ministry’s directorate general of legal administration, provided by private company PT Sarana Rekatama Dinamika (SRD).
The website, www.sisminbakum. com, had since 2001 allowed legal entities to register for permits and nominate notaries. The services on offer ranged in price from Rp 250,000 to Rp 1 million.
The directorate general received 200 applications daily from notaries throughout the country, generating monthly revenue of Rp 5 billion to Rp 9 billion, AGO data shows.
The prosecutors said that instead of submitting the money to the state coffers as non-tax revenue, SRD took 90 percent of the revenue, while 4 percent went to the ministry and the rest to ministry officials, distributed by seniority.
Secretary-general, the AGO says, received Rp 5 million per month and directors general Rp 10 million.
Romli, a professor of law, Syamsuddin and Zulkarnain said they had just followed the decision signed by Yusril, their boss at that time.
Yusril, who is also a former Cabinet secretary, admitted to signing the 2000 decree appointing SRD to build the website, and another 2000 decree on the activation of the system.
“But there’s no violation of the law in the decrees. I can appoint the company because the project doesn’t use state money,” he told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.
Yusril said income at ministerial levels was non-tax revenue as stipulated by a government decree signed by the President, and added that the President had never issued a decree requiring income generated by the website be transferred to the state as non-tax revenue despite the system running for eight years.
“So, what is the legal basis for the AGO to define the income as non-tax revenue if the government decree doesn’t exist?” Yusril said.
“The system never used state money as it was purely built by a private company. Doesn’t the AGO realize this?”
However, legal expert Irman Putra Sidin said it was unclear whether the officials had received the money and if Yusril had benefited from it.
“If there is evidence that officials received money from the website then it is a gratuity. The prosecutors should charge them under the 1999 corruption law,” he said.

Jakarta celebrates the Menteng Kid’s victory

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta Thu, 11/06/2008 7:56 AM Headlines
Jakarta shared the anxiety and the joy of the U.S presidential election won by new Indonesian darling Barack Hussein Obama on Wednesday.
It was a special day for students of Obama’s former school SDN Menteng 01, Central Jakarta, who gathered at the school’s hall to watch the final results pour in. Several pictures of Obama during his school years there were prominently displayed.
A 15-minute silence has been held here every day since Monday to allow the students to pray for Obama’s victory.
“Every day we have something different to pray for, but since Monday we have prayed for him,” said principal Kuwadiyanto.
Obama, or Barry as he was affectionately called during his time in Indonesia, enrolled in the school — then named SD Besuki — as a third-grader in 1968. He previously attended the Fransiskus Asisi Catholic School, also in Central Jakarta.
Obama’s historic election as the next U.S. president was a dream come true for his supporters in Indonesia.
“I think it’s good motivation for the children to study hard and set their dreams high,” Kuwadiyanto said.
Israella Dharmawan, Barry’s former teacher at Fransiskus Asisi and an avid follower of the U.S. election, said she was proud and touched by Barry’s win.
“I hope to see him become a good president and keep his campaign promises,” she said, adding he was good, cheerful and easygoing as a young boy.
“I remember he once wrote two stories titled ‘My mother, my idol’ and ‘I want to be a president’,” she said.
Obama’s former classmates at SDN Menteng 01 also recalled the times they spent at Café Pisa, Menteng, with the now U.S. president-elect.
Obama moved to Indonesia at the age of six with his mother Ann Dunham and his Indonesian stepfather Lolo Soetoro. He lived in Jakarta from 1967 to 1971.
In the rest of the capital, Jakartans cheered the election of Anak Menteng (the Menteng Kid) as America’s first black president.
“Though I am not an American, I am very happy to hear that a child who studied in Menteng will be the next U.S. president,” Sugiyono, a taxi driver, said after hearing radio reports of Obama’s win.
The U.S. Embassy and USINDO organized a U.S. Election Day event at the InterContinental Hotel’s Grand Ballroom. Most of the guests were non-Americans.
“It’s no longer a U.S. election,” one guest said. “It looks like an international election. People all over the world are eagerly awaiting the outcome of the election.”
Among U.S. Ambassador Cameron R. Hume’s invited guests were presidential spokesmen Dino Patti Djalal and Andi Mallarangeng, former ministers Emil Salim and Alwi Shihab, members of the House of Representatives, scholars, journalists and diplomats.
Despite their busy schedules, the British, Swiss, German, Austrian, Brazilian, Mexican, Jordanian, Tunisian, Palestinian and Singaporean ambassadors turned up to witness the historic moment.
Enda Nasution, who chairs the Obama for Indonesia society, celebrated Obama’s victory with 300 members of the group, which was founded over the Internet.
“It’s great to be part of history. No one thought Obama would win the U.S. presidency,” Enda said.

Malaysia backs Kosovo independence, angers Serbia

The Associated Press , Kuala Lumpur Sat, 11/01/2008 11:52 AM World Malaysia on Saturday defended its recognition of Kosovo as an independent state - a move that caused Serbia to expel the Southeast Asian nation's ambassador.
Serbia's Foreign Ministry said late Friday that Malaysian envoy Saw Ching Hong had 48 hours to leave because his country had recognized Kosovo.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Rais Yatim insisted his government's decision was meant to "help meet the aspirations of the Kosovo people in wanting an independent country."
Kosovo, a former Serbian province, declared independence in February. About 50 countries, including the United States and European Union members, have recognized its independence.
However, Serbia refuses to recognize the split. It has asked for a U.N. court's opinion on whether the secession was legal.
Malaysia plans to establish diplomatic ties with Kosovo at a suitable time, Rais added in a statement issued Saturday through the national news agency Bernama.

Medvedev congratulates Obama on historic victory

The Associated Press , Moscow Wed, 11/05/2008 9:30 PM World Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has congratulated Barack Obama on his election victory and is hoping for constructive dialogue with the incoming U.S. president.The Kremlin says Medvedev sent Obama a congratulatory telegram Wednesday in which he stressed that cooperation between the United States and Russia was important for global security and stability.The statement came shortly after Medvedev sharply criticized the U.S. in his state of the nation speech.In the telegram, Medvedev said there is "solid positive potential" to improve relations but more must be done. He said he is counting on Obama to engage in constructive dialogue that would take both countries' interests into account.Ties between Russia and the U.S. were seriously damaged by Russia's war in August with neighboring Georgia.

Menteng students overjoyed with Obama's win

The Jakarta Post Wed, 11/05/2008 3:02 PM Jakarta "Obama... Obama... Obama... We love you!" yelled hundreds of students from all grades in a Menteng elementary school in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, as they watched results come in for the U.S. presidential election.Students and teachers were overjoyed to suspend classes, gather in a 1,500 square meter ballroom and witness how a former student of the school became elected the next president of the United States.Headmaster Kuswadiyanto said the teachers and students had been starting their school day differently during the past few days."Every morning before lessons start, we've been praying for Barry, hoping for him to win the election," Kuswadiyanto said, as quoted by kompas.com.As tallies on the television screen grew and confirmed Obama's win, all the students expressed their happiness by running around, scattering all over the place, dashing out of the ballroom and roaming the schoolyard even though rain was pouring down.Obama's victory was also their victory. They were proud that the one-time Menteng student had became the leader of the most powerful country on the planet. "I want Obama to come here so we can talk with him," said Ajo, a fifth grader.The teachers said the school would pray for Obama again on Thursday. "We want to express our thankfulness, so we will continue praying for him.... Today we are just enjoying this victory with the students," Kuswadiyanto said. (and)