Tips About Domains and Hosting

Every hosting service requires domains for running or maintaining it.
When registering a domain you should get domain name servers which can be up to 4 name servers but more commonly 2.

When you get them you will basically get a destination for your hosting because when you point domain name servers from registrar to your host you will need to have an account/domain on the same hosting prepared so the names would match and then you will have a fully functional domain.

Name servers can take up to 24 hours to change since some internet services require many transfers and checkouts before they change name servers to your destination.
When you have done all that you will need to give options to users at your hosting service to add their own domain names. It can be easily done with some popular control panels such as cPanel or Plesk where you have option to add a domain name. You can setup adding unlimited domain names or you can restrict users to some number of domains to be added via control panel. Since it is very simple to add a domain via control panel this is the most popular way to do it.

You have also option in most control panels to add sub domains which also can be controlled by your hosting service.
You may also have option to limit the number of sub domains so you can control how many sub domains users will have.

There are many of options that you can have with domain management like if your hosting gets a registrar in the same service so you can control which domains will be registered and also make profit from that. You can include domain suggestion service which is very profitable, usable and popular by the way. Just think that without the domain your hosting will probably have some free sub domain or none at all so you should buy a full domain and hosting to get a standard website.

Also have a look at a tech gadgets blog and cheapest shopping.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4094020

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Setting Up a Business Reselling Domains and Hosting

Everyone knows that to start up a business requires start-up funding. For most businesses, the start-up amount is never a small amount. There is an initial gestation period, where the business needs to grow its client base as well as its range of products and services. That is why starting up a new business is never easy, and most people simply give up.

Today, due to the evolution of technology, it is possible to start a new business with very little initial capital outlay. The products and services are already developed, ready for you to take them up and resell. As you are reselling other people's products and services, you are also known as a reseller. But what exactly will you be selling?

There are many types of different items that you can consider selling. But one of the most popular product you can sell is domain names. A domain name is a name for a website. Everyone who wants to register a domain name needs to do so with an official registrar. The problem is, being a registrar requires a substantial amount of licensing fees. If you want to keep your risk to a minimum, you can always consider being a reseller.
Being a reseller means that you buy domain names at wholesale prices. That usually means you buy in bulk. When you do so, you get the products at a steeply discounted rate. You may then resell these products to your clients and make a profit.

To grow your Internet business further, you may start looking at any Internet related products and services to resell. Such products include web hosting, site builders, and many others. When someone takes up a domain name, it's likely that he will need hosting, web design or development services, etc. You will be doing your clients a big favor by offering comprehensive services under one roof.

There are many benefits when you become a reseller. The most obvious benefit is that you keep risks to a minimum. You don't need to spend thousands of dollars to develop your own products, only to find that you face stiff competition. You can select the products that you know your clients will need, buy them at bulk pricing, and make a good profit from there.

The other major benefit is that as a business owner, you can now focus all your time and energy on marketing your business. Spend more time contacting potential clients and partners and you will be making sales very soon. There is no need for you to worry about programming, customer support, and other aspects of the business. In other words, as a reseller, you can focus on one thing - which is to go all out and sell.
With the need for little initial capital outlay, strong products and more time for marketing, you have a much greater chance of success. Some domain resellers even provide you with a website so that you can get started immediately! Special advertising credits are also provided to give you the boost and encouragement that you need to take action.

Ultimately, this is your Internet business. How much you earn, and how far you go, depends on your hunger for success. Question is, are you ready to take on the challenge and boost your income levels to greater heights?

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2420832

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Domain and Hosting Offers in Today's Online Web Business

You thought all the major work was completed when you finally decided to choose the product/service for your new online business. Whoever knew there were so many choices of domain names and web hosting companies? Before you make any decisions about either of them, you'll need to think about several things first.

Domain names can be what makes your web-based business asuccess or a failure. Domain names will be your online business identity and how future customers will find you and your company. Just like when a person is searching for a business in yellow pages, the first or most noticeable ad usually wins the customer. When an average consumer searches for a product or service online, he or she types in specific keywords related to what they're looking for. Your domain name needs to come up at the top of the list in their search. Also, keep in mind that customers will think your company name is the domain name, so it needs to be easy to remember and easy to find.

You'll also want to have at least 20 different domain names that fit in with your product which will raise the odds of your company name coming up many times, giving your website a chance to be viewed. An example of how you can have many domain names for the same company is the difference of the.com,.net, etc. at the end of your company name. Good hosting companies will include many domain names as part of the overall package. Also, your ideal company will help you with the name.

Once you've chosen your name or names, you'll need to register them. Sometimes people run into problems at this phase, as their chosen name is already taken. The registration also usually costs a fee, so if you have at least 20 domain names, it can get expensive. Having a web hosting company will alleviate the amount of time, energy and expense that can go into creating and securing many domain names for your business.

When searching for a hosting company, make sure to ask about domain name procedures, how they company ensures your company name will come up in searches, their overall success rate and much more. These types of things are just as important as payment security. If customers can't find you and your business, then how will they purchase your product or service?

Compare Web Hosts is a premier web hosting directory that provides accurate and unbiased web hosting reviews. You can find the best cheap web hosting, Linux web hosting and Windows web hosting online at CompareWebHosts.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=L._Belenky

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10 Things You Should Not Do When Getting a Domain Name

When it comes to buying a domain name there are a few general practices I strongly recommend avoiding for the first time domain buyer.
1) Don't get frustrated when you find out that your first choice domain name is already taken. It happens all the time. Take a moment and expand your ideas.
2) Avoid using creative spellings unless you are dealing with an established brand. This is in general a good rule. If it's hard to spell then it's usually hard to remember which is not ideal. Think about choosing a domain that makes it as easy as possible for the most people out there to easily spell and remember it.
3) Avoid using numbers in the domain again unless it's an established brand. The problem with this is similar to #2. If you have to explain the domain when you say it out loud it's typically a red flag. For example using the number "4" in place of the word "for" must be explained when talking about the site. Chances are people will forget it when they are searching online, when telling others about the site and so on.
4) Avoid using hyphens or dashes in the domain. Same kind of issue as #3 as well as it looks like you're forcing the domain. Typically a dash will be used to get a domain similar to one that is already taken. It does not look as good, it's a pain to explain and can be annoying. Go for something without the dash.
5) Avoid buying a ton of unnecessary add-on services you don't need. As a first time domain buyer it's very possible that some registrars are going to offer you add-on services you do not need. They all look important and necessary but they are not. If all you need is a domain name then that's all you should be buying. If your total is over $11 or $12 something is off. Save your money.
6) Avoid buying a ton of different extensions of the same domain unless you have a ton of extra cash or are registering a branded name. Often other extensions will be offered to you during the purchase process. If you've got the cash to do it you can buy many different extension versions of your domain name. My suggestion for the first time domain buyer is skip it and save your money.
7) Avoid making it hard to say. If it's hard to say it's very probably hard to spell and hard to remember. Simple, clean and understandable is the way to go.
8) Avoid impulse buys. Especially when first starting out you'll tend to think of what seem like amazing domain names at the time. You'll quickly buy these up because you just can't believe they are still available. Save your money and focus. Don't go on a crazy domain name buying spree.
9) Never allow anyone else to buy a domain name for you. Ever. This is one of those things that are never a problem until it's a problem but by then it's a big problem. Just save your future self the headache and be sure to buy that domain with your own credit card.
10) Avoid hesitation. The only way to get going down the path to a great personal blog or small business website is to start right now. Don't over think it. Don't over complicate it. Go get yourself a domain name and get going.
Don't let the above scare you off from buying that domain name you've been thinking about. Just be aware of these 10 points and you'll be in better shape than most first time buyers!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6719346

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Key Practices in Getting a Premium Free Domain Name

In Today's online reality - having a killer domain name for your site is a must have. People remember your domain and associate it with your website and with time it becomes your own brand.
Domains give the visitors a first impression of your website and brand. It is the first thing they see on the search results and it is the first item of data shown by the browser when you visit a website (it shows on the top URL address bar before the site loads).

For this reason, we believe that having an easy and fun to remember domain is one of the most basic marketing steps you should make.
If you're on a low-budget or just starting out - you don't have to spend a lot of money on a new cool domain name. Today, many services offer free domain names which are just as good and powerful as full paid Domains.

These free domain services are usually giving out a sub domain of their main domain name. Google (and other search engines) treat subdomains as if they are a real stand-alone domain name. This means you can get a free sub domain, use it, and enjoy the benefits of having a real stand-alone domain without spending a dime on buying it.

So what are the key practices in getting your own free domain?
First - make sure you get the domain at a serious free domain name provider. There are many out there and making sure you use someone who is stable and reliable is important. How do you know that? Well - first check the main domain itself - if it is short (hence less than 3 letters long) it means the owning company spent a lot of money buying it, hence they must be serious about it. Also, see the site statistics, read about the site, ensure they have a proper terms of use and privacy policy in place and read through them to ensure a serious company stands behind the service.

Second - try to get the shortest possible domain name. As a rule of thumb - the shorter the better. Why? Because people find shorter names cooler and easier to remember. Some providers can give you a sub domain of two and even one letter main domain - that means that if you add your own subdomain to it you can end up with a very short and cool domain name.
Third - Some of the providers our there supply additional free services with their domain names. Some will give you free email, others will give out free hosted DNS (good for hosting your site on your own server or even making your own name servers). Try to find a free domain name provider which will give you as many services as possible (providing you need them of course).
Last - check and re-check the terms when you order. Most providers really do give out a free domain but some tend to make it free on a "trial" basis (forcing you to pay for it when it's over). Make sure the provider you choose really does give it for free with no strings attached.

To summarize: there are many good free site name providers out there. As you are starting a site and as you want it to be stable and grow - you should spend time researching the domain you choose and the provider you pick for providing it. Spending even 15 minutes of time on doing basic checks before you decide might save you a lot of issues and pain later down the road. We hope that the short thumb rules and key points we provided will help you decide and choose wisely.

Gilad Ariav is a well known online marketer and development expert. In writing this article Gilad utilized an interview with the creators of http://r.gd (a free domain name provider) and compare today's supplied free domain services in an effort to bring the best practices to his readers.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gilad_Ariav

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Domain Names - How Much Does a Domain Name Cost?

Very often those new to the online world and beginners looking to make their first website often drastically over estimate the cost involved to get started. The first part of this online adventure is often the domain name. Today anyone can purchase a domain name for $10 a year or less for most of the most common extensions and, if buying in bulk, that cost can go down even further. Keep in mind that the domain purchase is really more of a rent than a true purchase. That $10 is really a recurring fee for the right to use a particular domain name for one year. There are a few points of interest when it comes to the cost of domain names...

What, exactly, is a Domain Name?
Quick crash course for you here. Every website on the internet has a unique address that, in the computer world, is called an IP Address and looks something like this: 123.456.78. Now, numbers are great for organization but most folks would rather deal with words and phrases rather a series of numbers and dots. A domain is nothing more than a word or phrase that associates with a string of numbers that is a unique address on the Internet. Domains are part of Domain Name System (DNS) and simply "point" at a website IP Address. Think of the DNS as a phone book for the internet that translates people friendly names into computer friendly IP Addresses.
Competition in the Domain Registrar business
When the internet started to really get rolling back in the late '80s domain names were more expensive than they are today at roughly $50 per year for a.com. When the internet exploded in the 1990's the number of companies in the registration space increased (from originally just one company!), which increased the competition which continues to drive that price point down. There was also, in 1998, the creation of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN ) which is a non profit tasked with creating policy for domain names. They introduced all sorts of new top-level domain names, which increased the potential supply of domains that can be sold, and further drove the price down.

What are you getting for your dollar?
You will still find a variety of different prices on domain registration. Some of this variation comes from additional services that "come with" a domain you purchase such as some privacy protection, stand alone email service, website builders and so on. A domain can currently be registered for as little as one year at a time and for as much as ten years at a time. Be sure to understand what you are paying for when you purchase your domain and for how long you are registering.

Take Away
Long story short domains are very affordable and very easy to purchase. Get out there, grab a domain and get going!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6719364

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Generic Top Level Domain Name Available Soon

If you already own a dot-com, you know the role those last three letters play in your marketing. But starting in January, 2012, your business can apply to replace that dot-com with dot-"Your Business Name," putting your name back in the marketing.

Canon was among the first corporations to announce its intentions to purchase a generic top level domain, also known as gTLD. Canon's plans to purchase.canon when the opportunity becomes available led a flurry of announcements for future plans of.hitachi,.motorola, and.unicef. Called "dotbranding," this shift in the way top level domains are awarded could change the way users surf the web.

iCANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, will charge $185,000 for each generic top level domain. The opportunity, which will only be available from January 12, 2012 to April 12, 2012, has businesses scrambling to figure out if this move will be beneficial. According to brand consultants Interbrand, a generic top level domain will be of most benefit to businesses that are centered primarily online.

Dotbranding will likely work best if a business releases multiple websites per year. One example Interbrand gave in its white paper on the topic was a movie studio, releasing big movies on a regular basis. "http://www.titanicmovie.paramountpictures", for instance, or "http://www.zookeeper.sonypictures". Still, in a world where consumers have grown used to seeking out the dot-com, will such promotion be effective?

The plus for businesses is that a generic TLD allows use of corporate names in marketing materials. Mountaindew.pepsi, for instance, uses space that would normally be occupied by the word "com" to promote the Pepsi brand. This gives Pepsi more exposure while asserting its ownership of the Mountain Dew product.
But "dot-Your Business Name" isn't the only choice. Over the past two decades,.com,.org and.net have expanded to include.biz,.gov,.edu, and many more. More recently, iCANN voted to provide the generic top level domain name.xxx to adult sites, sponsored by the International Foundation for Online Responsibility. Opening up top level domains to businesses could result in groups of businesses getting together to share an easy-to-remember domain, like.car or.movie. Or businesses could be creative in the way one company was in recent years, allowing visitors to reach its site by simply typing o.co into the address book. The shortened version of its name provided a catchy, rhyming shortcut to stick in customer's minds.

Find out more about generic TLD here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6690885

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EU condemns bloodshed in Egypt, calls for order

Brussels (ANTARA News/AFP) - The European Union`s on Sunday condemned the bloodshed in Egypt, where security forces killed at least seven people as they cleared protesters from Cairo`s Tahrir Square.

"I am extremely concerned at the riots and violent clashes witnessed in Egypt, notably in Tahrir square over the weekend," the EU`s foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement.

"I deplore the loss of life and the many injuries and express my solidarity with the families of the victims. I urge calm and restraint and condemn the use of violence in the strongest terms," she added.

Security forces killed at least seven people in Tahrir Square Sunday, casting a dark shadow over Egypt`s first elections since Hosni Mubarak`s downfall, due on November 28.

Police and military forces used batons, tear gas and birdshot to clear the central square of thousands of protesters who are demanding that the ruling military cede power to a civilian authority.

It was the second day of violence in the Egyptian capital and in other parts of the country protesters also clashed with the security forces.

"There is no doubt that the transitional process is a difficult and challenging one," Ashton said in her statement.

"I have expressed my concern in the past about the emergency law and the ongoing military trials.

"Law and order must be ensured in a manner respectful of human rights," she added.

"Citizens and political parties` demands that the transition moves forward and safeguards the principles of democracy must be listened to."

Protesters have been chanting against the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) and calling for the overthrow of Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, Mubarak`s long-time defence minister, who heads it.

The SCAF in a statement read out on state television said it "regretted" what was happening, and said it was committed to the elections timetable.

The military has said it will hand over power after a presidential election, which has yet to be scheduled. (*)

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Number of Indonesians ending life during hajj reaches 370

Mecca (ANTARA News) - The number of Indonesians who died in the Holy Land while making the hajj pilgrimage this year by 4.16 pm local time Friday or 8.15 pm West Indonesia Standard Time (WIB) on Sunday reached 370, official data showed.

A total of 352 of the deceased were performing hajj under the regular hajj pilgrimage services while 18 others under the first-class pilgrimage services (ONH-Plus).

"The pilgrims who died were predominantly men reaching 244 while the number of women pilgrims who ended their lives in the Holy Land was 126," Evi Al Hudhori of the computerized data at the Integrated Hajj Services office of the Religious Affairs Ministry in Saudi Arabia, said here on Sunday.

She said that the biggest number of the deceased reaching 71 came from the SUB (Surabaya, East Java) embarkation point, followed by that from the Solo or SOC embarkation (65). (*)

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Zimbabwe`s Mugabe in Singapore for medical check, report

Harare (ANTARA News/AFP) - Zimbabwe`s President Robert Mugabe has flown to Singapore for a medical check-up, his seventh journey to see doctors in the Asian city-state this year, an independent weekly newspaper reported Sunday.

"He went for a review following an eye operation he had earlier on. He will be back tomorrow (Sunday)," information minister Webster Shamhu was quoted as saying in The Standard weekly newspaper.

Mugabe, 87, who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980, has prostate cancer, according to US diplomatic cables released by the whistle-blower website WikiLeaks.

The leaked cable alleged that Reserve Bank governor Gideon Gono told the then-US ambassador James McGee in 2008 that Mugabe has prostate cancer that has metastasized and "that will cause his death in three to five years."

"According to Gono, Mugabe`s doctor recommended he cut back on his activities," the leaked cable said.

Gono has denied the WikiLeaks report.

Mugabe has not commented on the WikiLeaks reports, but in the past he has scoffed at reports that his health is deteriorating.

The veteran ruler is in a coalition government with his long-time rival Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, after 2008 elections failed violently. Mugabe has already been nominated by his ZANU-PF party as its presidential candidate in elections, expected possibly next year. (*)

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Forty-two foreigners being held at Ambon immigration detention center

Ambon, Maluku (ANTARA News) - The Immigration Detention Center in Ambon, Maluku, is holding 42 foreigners for illegally working in Maluku waters.

"The 42 foreigners were generally working illegally in Maluku waters from their base in Tual, Southeast Maluku," head of Amon`s immigration office, Enang Supriyadi, here on Monday.

Thirty-nine of the foreigners were from Cambodia and three from Thailand.

Enang said some of them had turned themselves in at the office while the others were caught.

Enang said he did not know why they came to Ambon but what was clear was they came after they had problems in Tual.

He said it was not easy to tackle foreigners in Ambon because after they were deported others would come and be caught again and so the detention center was never empty.

Enang said the Cambodian embassy had said it would send staff to Ambon to see directly its citizens` conditions.

"Let them see for themselves their conditions and talk with the detainees to make sure that their are Cambodian citizens," Enang said.

Enang said the immigration office meanwhile was still trying to deport the three Thai citizens.
(Uu.H-YH/HAJM/F001)

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RI govt intensifying HIV/AIDS eradication efforts to achieve MDG target

Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono said the government was intensifying its efforts to fight HIV/AIDS in the regions to achieve the MDG (Millennium Development Goals) target.

The role of the people in tackling the HIV/AIDS problem must be increased to make the effort more effective, the minister said here on Monday in his opening speech at the Fourth National Meeting of AIDS 2011 being held from October 3 to 6, 2011.

Up to June 2011, the number of people infected with HIV reached 66,693, and the there were around 26,500 AIDS cases.

The five regions with the highest number of AIDS cases at present are Jakarta, East Java, West Java, Papua, and Bali. The highest number of HIV patients are found in Jakarta, East Java, Papua, Bali, and Central Java.

The National Meeting on AIDS is a large forum of discussions for various stakeholders to review the situation of the disease epidemic.

The fifth meeting will review HIV/AIDS control programs during the past five years since the issuance of the Presidential regulation 75/2006, the country`s progress in trying to achieve the MDGs target to combat HIV/AIDS by 2015, and the plans in the next five years.

The meeting is being participated in by 1,500 people representing among other things the government, the AIDS Control Commission, donor institutions, NGOs, and civil society.

Earlier this year, Minister Agung Laksono had said the handling of HIV/AIDS spread in Indonesia needs to be improved.

"There are three indicators on the effort to eradicate HIV/AIDS that need to be improved namely the use of condom in risky locations such as port and prostitution complexes, the percentage of teenagers aged 15 years above having an adequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS and the percentage of regional government which actively conducted programs to eradicate HIV/AIDS spreading in their area," said the minister.

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Batik industry development in line with women`s empowerment

Pekalongan, Central Java (ANTARA News) - The efforts being made to develop the batik industry in Indonesia is in line with women`s empowerment and welfare, First Lady Ani Yudhoyono said here on Monday.

The first lady made the statement in her speech at the commemoration of National Batik Day at the Jetayu square in Pekalongan city, Central Java.

"Batik industry`s development is in line with women`s empowerment and welfare," the first lady said, adding that involvement of women`s employment in the batik industry was very high because the majority of batik makers were women.

To keep batik as a cultural asset in Indonesia, Ani said the love of batik should be inculcated from an early age in the younger generation.

"Let us continue to encourage our young women to intensively produce batik and be able to market it," the first lady said.

Ani Yudhoyono and her entourage arrived in Pekalongan on Monday morning aboard a special train from Jakarta to attend the National Batik Day observation function.

Her entourage was made up of Madame Herawati Boediono as the United Indonesia Cabinet Wives Solidarity (SIKIB) chairwoman, Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik, and Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu.

National Batik Day is commemorated every October 2 and this year it is centered at Jetayu square in Pekalongan, Central Java.

Besides attending the National Batik Day, the First Lady and entourage will also visit a batik exhibition, batik museum, and the Pesindon batik tourism village.

According to Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik, Indonesian batik products are better than those imported from China and Malaysia.

"Our handmade batik products are better than those from China and Malaysia because they had been printed. Therefore we don`t have to worry about imported batiks," Wacik said.

The culture and tourism minister noted that his office would continue to promote Indonesian handmade batik products other countries to make Indonesia best known as home of batiks.
(Uu.O001/HAJM/F001)

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Indonesia wins two titles

Samarinda, E Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - Indonesia won two titles at the 2011 Indonesia Open Gold Grandprix at the Palaran Stadium Samarinda, East Kalimantan, on Sunday.

The first was grabbed from the men`s singles after all- Indonesian finals between Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka against Tommy Sugiarto.

Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka, beat eighth-seeded Tommy Sugiarto the seventh seed in straight sets, 21-16, 21-17

Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka advanced to the finals after overthrowing his compatriot Alamsyah Yunus in rubber sets, 24-22, 20-22 and 21-13.

Meanwhile, in the semifinals Tommy Sugiarto beat this tournament`s second seed Taufik Hidayat in two straights 21-10, 21-15.

The men`s doubles title will be most probably won by Indonesia on Sunday night after Mohammad Ahsan-Bona Septiano defeated Japan`s men`s doubles, Hiroyuki Endo-Kenichi Hayakawa, who is seeded fifth in this tournament.

The first seed of the tournament, Mohammad Ahsan-Bona Septiano managed to advance to the finals following a WO (walkover) by fifth-seeded men`s doubles from Chinese Taipei Fang Chieh Min-Lee Sheng Mu.

Hiroyuki Endo - Kenichi Hayakawa success to enter the finals after defeating Indonesians Yohannes Rendy Sugiarto and Afiat Yuris Wirawan in the semi-finals straight sets, 21-16-21-18. (*)

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Rescue workers evacuate six bodies from crashed Casa plane

Bahorok, North Sumatra (ANTARA News) - Rescue workers evacuated six bodies from the Casa 212 plane that crashed in Bahorok, Langkat, North Sumatra, and flew them to Turangin field in North Sumatra district of Langkat on Sunday.

The six victims packed in body-bags and flown by Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopters arrived in Turangin, Bahorok, Langkat District at 12.20 pm local time on Sunday, Antara learned here.

The six victims, five adults and a child, were then brought to the Adam Malik hospital in Medan, capital city of North Sumatra province, for identification.

The Casa 212-200 plane with 18 people on board including its crew went down in a Bohorok jungle when it was flying from Medan to Kutacane, Southeast Aceh, Thursday morning (Sept.29)

The National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) set up four teams to locate and evacuate the plane crash victims.

All the passengers of the Casa 212-200 plane were found dead, National Search and Rescue Team`s Operational and Training Director Vice Marshal Sunarbowo Sandi said here on Saturday.
(Uu.B00/H-NG)

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Malaysia to start security law reforms next week

Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA News/AFP) - Malaysia will move to abolish two minor security laws next week but wait to scrap the tougher Internal Security Act (ISA) until next year, the prime minister said.

Prime Minister Najib Razak pledged last month to abolish the dreaded ISA, which allows indefinite detention without trial, and reform other laws which opposition leaders and activists have long criticised as outdated and cruel.

Najib said late Friday that he would table motions in Parliament next week to scrap two laws which restrict criminal suspects` movements and allow for them to be exiled.

"Whatever we can speed up, we speed up," Najib was quoted as saying by the national news agency Bernama as saying.

"This indicates that we have a comprehensive agenda to make Malaysia not only developed economically but also to be on par with other nations which practise the so-called modern progressive democracy," he said.

But a motion to scrap the ISA would only be tabled in Parliament next March as the government is still drafting two other laws to replace that legislation and prevent criminal acts and violence, Najib said.

His aide confirmed Saturday that the government would aim to pass motions to repeal the Banishment Act and the Restricted Residence Act in the next Parliament sitting, which begins Monday and ends in December.

Najib made a surprise announcement as part of his Malaysia Day speech on September 15 that several security laws would be reformed, a promise that came with snap polls widely expected to be called well before their 2013 due date.

Activists have long criticised the decades-old ISA and other laws, which have been used to detain terror suspects and alleged human traffickers but also opposition politicians and activists.

They say those guilty of crimes should be charged in court and not held indefinitely.
(U.S008/B009)

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South Sumatra`s 355 would-be hajj pilgrims off to Medina

Palembang, S. Sumatra (ANTARA News) - South Sumatra governor H Alex Noerdin on Sunday here saw off a total of 355 would-be hajj pilgrims from South Sumatra province leaving for Medina, Saudi Arabia.

The governor asked the provincial would-be hajj pilgrims to keep their health during their stay in Saudi Arabia, so that they can concentrate on the hajj pilgrimage as the fifth pillar of Islam.

"The main purpose of performing the hajj pilgrimage is to improve faith and devotion (to the God Almighty)," Alex Noerdin reminded the would-be pilgrims.

According to him, the provincial government gave financial assistance in the form of transportation fee worth one million rupiah to each of the would-be hajj pilgrims.
(T.U005/Uu.B003/H-NG)

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Senior Haqqani leader captured in Afghanistan: NATO

Kabul (ANTARA News/Xinhua-OANA) - A senior leader of the Haqqani network has been arrested in Afghanistan by the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), the military alliance said in a statement released Saturday (Oct. 1).

"A combined Afghan and coalition security force captured the senior Haqqani network leader in Afghanistan during a security operation in Jani Khel district, Paktiya province Tuesday," according to the statement.

"Security forces detained Haji Mali Khan, the uncle of Siraj and Badruddin Haqqani and the senior Haqqani commander in Afghanistan. He was one of the highest ranking members of the Haqqani network and a revered elder of the Haqqani clan, the statement said.

Mali Khan, according to the statement, moved forces from Pakistan to Afghanistan to conduct terrorist activity. Jalaluddin Haqqani consistently placed Mali Khan in positions of high importance.

In the past year, Haji Mali Khan established a militant camp in Mangal tribal lands in Paktiya province, coordinated the transfer of money for insurgents operations, and facilitated the acquisition of supplies, the statement asserted.

"Although he was heavily armed during the operation that led to his capture, Mali Khan submitted to the security force without incident or resistance," the statement contended.

"The Haqqani network and its safe havens remain a top priority for Afghan and coalition forces. Security forces have conducted more than 500 operations so far in 2011 in an effort to disrupt the Haqqani network leadership, resulting in the death of 20 network facilitators and the capture of nearly 300 insurgent leaders and 1,300 suspected Haqqani insurgents," the ISAF statement said.

The arrest of Mali Khan took place in the wake of accusation by Mike Mullen, the former chairman of the U.S. Joint Chief of Staff, who described the Haqqani network as "a veritable arm" of Pakistan `s intelligence service, last week.

Founded by Mawlawi Jalaludin Haqqani, the father of Sirajudin Haqqani, the Haqqani network is the military wing of the Taliban outfit and has been operating in Afghan capital Kabul and eastern Afghan provinces along the border with Pakistan`s tribal areas.

"The capture of Haji Mali Khan marks a significant milestone in the disruption of the Haqqani network," the ISAF statement said.

Taliban militants have yet to make comment.
(U.H-AK)

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Lawmaker commends govt for intending to renegotiate mining contracts

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Legislator Kemal Aziz Stambeol of House Commission XI on financial affairs has expressed appreciation for the government`s efforts to renegotiate its contracts with mining companies in the country.

"The fact that about 65 percent of the number of mining companies has agreed in principle to renegotiate their contracts is in itself an achievement. We hope that all mining firms operating in Indonesia, including Freeport and Newmont, will be cooperative and agree to renegotiate their contracts," Kemal said here on Saturday.

Currently, the government continues to make its efforts to renegotiate the contracts of all mining firms in Indonesia, which cover the acreage of operation areas, divestment, environment management, royalty and the obligation of using domestic services as required by Law No. 4 / 2009 on mining.

At present, the process of contract renegotiation with PT Freeport Indonesia has been going on very toughly. "The one percent royalty that the government received based on the contract from Freeport is too small and not fair," he added.

Therefore, Kemal said, the royalty should be increased to observe the principle of fairness. " I think a fair increase would not harm Freeport," he added.(*)

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RI`s mixed doubles fail to advance to finals

Samarinda, E Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - Indonesia`s mixed doubles Nova Widianto-Vita Marissa failed to advance to the finals of Indonesia Open Grandprix Gold 2011 at Palaran stadium here on Saturday after they had lost to China`s fourth-seeded Chen Xu-jin Ma in the semifinals.

Nova Widianto-Vita Marissa lost to the Chinese shuttlers 17-21, 21-16 and 13-21.

In the semifinals, Indonesia will only field men`s doubles Yohannes Rendy Sugiarto-Afiat Yuris Wirawan who will play with Japan`s seventh-seeded Hiroyuki Endo-Kenichi Hayakawa.

Meanwhile, Indonesia`s first-seeded men`s doubles Mohammad Ahsan-Bona Septano will advance to the finals after their opponents Chieh Min Fang-Sheng Mu Lee, China Taipe`s fifth-seed, have been declared walkover (WO).

In men`s singles, Indonesia looks set to emerge as a winner after four Indonesian shuttlers have advanced to the semi-finals. They are Taufik Hidayat, Tommy Sugiarto, Dionyius Hayom Rumbaka and Alamsyah Yunus.

Taufik Hidayat will play with Tommy Sugiarto in the semifinals while Dionyius Hayom Rumbaka will advance to the finals after beating Alamsyah Yunus 24-22, 20-22 and 21-13. (*)

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Bali bizmen worried about continuing economic slump in Europe

Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA News) - Businessmen in Bali are worried about the absence of improvements in economic conditions in Europe as it might affect their handicraft exports.

"We are worried that the continuing economic slump in Europe will affect our exports to the region," Made Puspa, one of the businessmen and exporters of handicrafts, said here on Saturday.

He said the volume of shipments of handicraft products from Bali to Europe had started to drop.

But European tourists were still coming to the tourist island and certainly they would still make orders or directly buy handicrafts, he said.

According to the province`s industry and trade office, Bali`s non-oil/non-gas exports to Europe have started to decline.

Around 26 countries in Europe only purchased US$110.9 million worth of handicrafts and other non-oil/non-gas products from Bali in the period January-August this year, down 8.8 percent from US$121.7 million in the same period last year.

Shipments of various non-oil/non-gas products to Europe fluctuate but their biggest contribution to Bali`s foreign exchange income was in March 2010, namely US$19 million while the smallest was recorded in July at US$12 million.

European importers mostly order accessories like silver jewelry items with exotic designs which sold well in their countries. (*)

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Tommy Sugiarto beats Taufik Hidayat

Samarinda, E Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - Tommy Sugiarto beat second-seeded Taufik Hidayat in the semifinals of Indonesia Open Grandprix Gold 2011 at Palaran Stadium in Samarinda, East Kalimantan, on Saturday.

Tommy Sugiarto who is ranked seventh in the tournament defeated Taufik Hidayat in 21-10, 21-15.

In the men`s single finals on Sunday (Oct 2), Tommy Sugiarto will play with his compatriot Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka who has earlier advanced to the finals after beating Alamsyah Yunus of Indonesia in 24-22, 20-22 and 21-13.

"I am satisfied with this achievement as I have for a long time dreamed of beating him (Taufik). In my three matches with Taufik Hidayat, only this time could I beat him," he said.

He said he would do his best to face Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka in the finals.

"The last time I played with him was last year in the quarterfinals of Indonesia Open Grandprix Gold 2010 when I lost to him," he said.(*)

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Kalla, Ralahalu awarded men of peace

Ambon, Maluku (ANTARA News) - World Assembly of Youth (WAY) has awarded men of peace to former Vice President Jusuf Kalla and Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu.

The award was given to Kalla and Ralahalu by WAY deputy chairman and Central Executive Council`s Chairman of the Indonesian Youth National Committee (KNPI) Ahmad Doli Kurnia here on Saturday in connection with World Youth Forum on Peace and Harmony.

Ahmad Doli Kurnia the award was given to Jusuf Kalla because the former vice president was considered an important figure who had a great contribution in peace process following the conflicts in Ambon, Maluku, Poso in Central Sulawesi, and Sampit in Central Kalimantan, and Nangroe Aceh Darusalam in Aceh.

And for Ralahalu, Doli said the former was a hard-working regional leader with a capability to overcome three-year sectarian conflicts in Maluku from 199-2002 and a communal clash in Ambon on September 11, 2011.

Doli said the men of peace award for Kalla and Ralahalu was the first from the World Assembly of Youth since the organization was established in 1943.

"This is the first ever award from WAY to former Vice President Jusuf Kalla and Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu," Doli said, adding that the organization would present the similar award to the world figures who contributed in various fields for peace and welfare of the community.

On Saturday, Governor Ralahalu officially opened the "World Youth Forum on Peace and Harmony" in Ambon.

Organized by the World Assembly of Youth (WAY), the two-day meeting is attended by around 100 members of the National Committee of Indonesian Youths (KNPI) and eight foreign youths representing Timor Leste, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Russia, and the Netherlands.

Ralahalu on the occasion expressed high appreciation to the KNPI central executive board and the World Assembly of Youth which had chosen Maluku as the event`s host.

The governor also welcomed the presence of foreign youths at the meeting to discuss concrete steps to maintain peace because he believed security conditions in Ambon were getting more conducive after a communal clash on September 11, 2011.

"I am very grateful for the presence of youths from Timor Leste, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Russia, and the Netherlands in Ambon. Your presence here shows that security in Maluku is quite conducive," Ralahalu said.
(O001)

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India test fires Agni-II missile

New Delhi (ANTARA News/IRNA-0ANA) - India`s nuclear-capable, surface-to-surface Agni-II ballistic missile, with a strike range of 2000 kms, was on Friday test-fired as part of user trial by the army from the Wheeler Island off Orissa coast.

The indigenously developed missile was fired by personnel of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) of the army from Launch Complex-IV of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at about 0930 hours IST (Indian Standard Time), PTI reported quoting defence sources as saying.

Agni-II, developed as one of the key weapon systems of country's nuclear deterrence program, is already under production and has been inducted in the Indian Armed Forces.

The two-stage solid fuel propelled Agni-II missile, developed by Advanced System Laboratory (ASL) and other DRDO laboratories, has a length of 20 metres, diameter of one metre and weighs around 17 tonnes, they said.

It is equipped with a special navigation system to achieve high degree of accuracy.

The system is also equipped with anti-ballistic defence counter measures.

It can be transported both by rail and road, they said.

The last trial scheduled on August 29 this year was aborted due to some technical problem, the sources said.

A user trial of the missile conducted on May 17 last year from the same base was successful.(*)

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Six injured in Islamabad hotel blast

Islamabad (ANTARA News) - Explosion in a four-storey hotel in Islamabad injured at least six people and destroyed one storey of the hotel building.

The blast happened at 11 p.m. in the Citi Hotel in the Blue Area where a lot of shops and restaurants are located.

A gas cylinder exploded on the top floor of a Pakistani hotel in Islamabad late Thursday, injuring three women and a child in a city always on guard against feared terror attacks, police said.

The explosion was in the vicinity of the venue where Pakistani political and military leadership were meeting in rare cross-party talks designed to close ranks against US pressure for action against the al-Qaeda-linked Haqqani network.

Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said Pakistan would not be pressured into doing more in the war on terror after stinging US rebukes accused Pakistan of involvement in recent attacks on the US embassy in Kabul and a NATO base in Afghanistan and demands that the government cut ties with the Haqqanis.

Islamabad is the most heavily protected city in Pakistan, a nuclear-armed Muslim state where routine suicide and bomb attacks largely concentrated in the northwest are blamed on local Taliban and al-Qaeda-linked militants.

Although bombings have targeted embassies, hotels and restaurants in the past, June saw the capital`s first suicide attack in nearly two years when a bomber blew himself up in a bank killing a security guard, IRNA reported.

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LG Display stresses localization in China

Hong Kong (ANTARA News) - South Korea`s LG Display Co. said Friday localization is a priority in its China business in order to further expand its presence in the world`s No. 2 economy.

"For LG Display, China is not a mere market" said Lee Bang-soo, LG Display`s vice-president of public affairs and public relations, in an interview with the Southern Daily, the official Guangdong Communist Party newspaper. "We want to truly integrate into China."

"Recently, we have been seeking to strengthen cooperation with local TV companies," he added.

LG Display will continue to cooperate with Chinese TV makers and support them in growing to become global players.

"We started to include our three-dimensional technology in their products. We believe this is a good start," Lee said.

Currently, the world`s second-largest flat panel maker maintains a close relationship with China`s top five TV companies -- Skyworth Group, Konka Group, Hisense Group, Haier Group and Changhong Electronics Co, he said. Lee added that LG Display has been rapidly expanding its market share in China through such partnerships.

Earlier this year, LG Display introduced a 3-D display technology called a film patterned retarder (FPR) to spur Fresh demand for 3-D TV.

LG Display Co., which obtained approval from the Chinese government to build LCD factories last December, is expected to break ground this year on a facility in the southern city of Guangzhou, Yonhap reported.

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Governor,US envoy open Banda Aceh-Calang highway

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - US Ambassador to Indonesia Scot Marciel and Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf on Thursday opened the Banda Aceh-Calang west coast highway at a ribbon cutting ceremony on the Lambeso River Bridge.

According to US Embassy press release issued on Friday, the 150-km roadway, which cost US$280 million and was built through US and Indonesian cooperation, connects 74 villages to Banda Aceh, and makes travel faster, safer, and more affordable for people and businesses in Sumatra.

The Banda Aceh highway project was part of a US$430 million development assistance package for relief and recovery to assist devastated communities in Aceh after the December 2004 earthquake and tsunami, which resulted in the loss of 175,000 lives, left half a million people homeless and destroyed businesses.

The original roadway was destroyed by the December 2004 earthquake and tsunami, and disrupted travel and trade throughout the region.

As a major building block to redevelop the North Sumatran economy and improve quality of life, the United States, through USAID, partnered with the Indonesian government to rebuild and expand the west coast transportation corridor.

By connecting more than 70 villages with Banda Aceh, the new road will facilitate government and business travel and stimulate economic activity.

"The completion of this project has served as a catalyst for reinvestment and regional development," Ambassador Marciel said.

"Our partnership with the Government of Indonesia and the province of Aceh offers people here a fresh start toward a peaceful and prosperous future," Marciel said.

Now, farmers bringing produce from Calang have quicker access to larger Acehnese markets, and Lhoukseudu fishermen, who lost over 100 boats due to the tsunami, have a new route to revive lost trade along the coastline.

The United States, in partnership with the Indonesian government and the people of Aceh, will continue to support social and economic development in the region, including projects to improve maternal and child health, develop alternative energy resources, provide financing for entrepreneurs, and broaden opportunities for quality education.

(O001)

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RI assured of one champion`s title at Indonesia badminton open

Samarinda, East Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - Indonesia is now assured of a champion`s title with the victory of its men`s single player, Taufik Hidayat, over China`s Zhengming Wang at the quarterfinals of the Indonesia Open Grandprix Gold badminton tournament here on Friday.

Taufik beat Zhengming Wang in a straight set 21-17, 21-15.

With Taufik`s win, Indonesia will field four men`s single players in the semifinals on Saturday, namely Taufik, Tommy Sugiarto, Alamsyah Yunus and Dionysium Hayom Rumbaka.

Tommy Sugiarto advanced to the semifinals after beating Kwong Beng Chang of Malaysia 21-15, 21-19 while Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka defeated Takume Ueda of Japan 21-14, 21-16.

Alamsyah Yunus also qualified for the semifinals following his victory over Misbun Ramdan Mohme Misbun from Malaysia 21-16, 21-14.

Other semifinalists from Indonesia are Anneke Feinya Agustin and Nitya Krishinda Maheswari in the women`s doubles. They are to meet China`s eighth-seeded Bao Yixin/Qianxin Zhong.

Anneke Feinya/Nitya Krishinda won a spot in the semifinals after defeating compatriots Vita Marissa/Nadya Melati 21-13, 21-11.

Indonesian mixed doubles players Nova Widianto/Vita Marissa meanwhile would meet China`s fourth-seeded Chen Ju/Jin Wa in the semifinals.

In the men`s doubles event, Yohanes Rendy Sugiarto/Afiat Yuris Wirawan gained a place in the semifinals after subduing Yao Ha Ow/Wee King Tan of Malaysia 21-19, 21-17.

Yohanes Rendy Sugiarto/Afiat Yuris Wirawan will meet seventh-seeded from Japan Hiroyuki Endo/Kenichi Hayakawa. (*)

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Minister sees off employees going on home-bound Idul Fitri trip

Purnomo Yusgiantoro.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro saw off around 700 employees of his office and their families who embarked on a trip to their home towns or villages to celebrate the post-fasting holiday of Idul Fitri here on Friday.

They left in 36 buses which the ministry normally uses for the daily transportation of employees from home to office and vice versa.

"We wish to help them in their travel as they are members of the ministry`s extended family," the minister said after seeing-off the employees and their families to areas around Yogyakarta and Solo in Central Java.

He hoped the employees would not be wasteful in using their money while on the holiday. "Do not let it happen that they have to continue to fast after returning to Jakarta again (because they lack money). They have a lot of money coming from their salary, Idul Fitri allowance, remuneration, September salary and others," he said.

The minister gave the assurance that the buses although not air-conditioned were all road worthy. "We have checked them all and even briefed the drivers with regard to safety," he said.

The employees were expected to return to their respective jobs on September 5. Those who did not return to the office on schedule would be given a sanction, he said.

"So far no employee has failed to come on schedule (after the holidays). Those who did fail to come happened to be sick," he said.

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Bodies of nine speed boat accident victims found

Sampit, Central Kalimantan  (ANTARA News) - The bodies of nine people who drowned after a speed boat with 40 passengers on board capsized in Central Kalimantan on Wednesday (Aug 24), have been found, a police officer said.

The speed boat accident killed nine people and the bodies of all of them have been recovered, Adjunct Commissioner Sumarya of the Central Kalimantan water police, said here on Friday.

The last two bodies were found by local fishermen on Friday morning at a location not far from the accident`s site.

The nine victims were identified as Krisno Mulyo Utomo, Tugiyati, Rudi, Rumaningsih, Doni, Sri Wilujeng, Nur Huda, Nisa and Wika Mareta Pangesti.

On the day of the tragic accident (Aug 24), five bodies were found and later buried in Sampit on Thursday (Aug 25) in one grave. Another body was discovered on Thursday.

The victims were members of one family who had just arrived from Surabaya, East Java, to celebrate Idul Fitri in Pegatan, Katingan Kuala sub district, Katingan District, Central Kalimantan.

"The joint Search and Rescue (SAR) team involving personnel of the Central Kalimantan water police, the Katingan Kuala police office, the Kotawaringin Timur and Pegatan ferry seaport authorities, the Samuda Naval post, Mentaya Hilir Selatan sub district, Kotawaringin Timur District, has stopped the search efforts because all of the victims` bodies were found," he said.

Executive Administrator of Sampit Seaport Edi Sumarsono said the operation of the ill-fated speed boat to carry passengers was illegal because it did not have a permit.

Katingan water police spokesman Adjunct Commissioner Sudirman said here on Thursday that the speedboat carrying Lebaran holiday travelers was engulfed by huge waves at Cemeti strait between Kotawaringin Timur and Katingan districts at 8.30 local time on Wednesday.

Sudirman said the ill-fated speed boat, skippered by Aliansyah, left Mentawai Baru Hilir in Kotawaringin Timur district at 7 in the morning for Pegatan in in Katingan district but 90 afterward it was hit by big waves and then capsized at Cemeti strait.
(Uu.F001/HAJM)

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World Quds Day is Day Of Muslims call for justice, independence

Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA News/IRNA-0ANA) - Malaysian Ulama Association president Abdul Ghani Shamsuddin said on Friday that the World Quds Day is the day of Muslims' call for justice and independence.

Talking to IRNA, Shamsuddin said the Middle East nations are today suffering from problems caused by the yoke of the Zionist Regime and the US over the region.

He said the World Quds Day provides the world people with an opportunity to voice their hatred of the main source of corruption in the world and the region.

He noted that the World Quds Day does not belong to Palestinian people only because it is a legacy of the late Founder of the Islamic Republic Imam Khomeini.

He said designation of the last Friday of the fasting month of Ramadan as the World Quds Day indicates the great personality, lofty ideas and far-sightedness of the late Imam Khomeini.

He noted that the World Quds Day is in fact the day of the campaign of the oppressed against the arrogance.
(T.A045/H-AK)

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Starving Sri Lankan immigrants finally disembark from boat

Illegal imigrant from Sri Lanka in Tanjungpinang, Kepulauan Riau.

Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands (ANTARA News) - After stubbornly refusing to disembark from the MV Alicia since July 10, 2011, 84 illegal Sri Lankan immigrants on Friday finally agreed to leave their boat due to starvation.

They surrendered to the Tanjungpinang Immigration Office which immediately sent them to its Detention Center (Rudenim), the center`s chief, Sugiyo, said here on Friday.

Initially, there were 87 Sri Lankan immigrants aboard the boat, but a baby was born recently, and four of the immigrants were still being treated in a hospital in Tanjungpinang.

At first, 13 of them disembarked from the boat on Thursday (Aug 25) and went to the cener. The next day (Friday, Aug 25), the remaining 71 people followed and now all of them were at the Rudenim.

"We are now checking the newly disembarked Sri Lankan immigrants," he said.

However, Sugiyo refused to comment on a report that the immigrants were forced to leave the boat because they were hungry.

Last July 2011, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative in Indonesia had asked the 87 Sri Lankan immigrants to disembark from their boat, the MV Alicia, for registration and verification.

"They must get off the boat for registration and verification whether they are refugees or not," Manuel Jordao, the UNHCR Representative in Indonesia, said after holding a meeting with representatives of the Sri Lankan foreign ministry and immigration office at the Sri Bintan Pura international seaport, Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands, last July.

A Sri Lankan immigrant who jumped off the MV Alicia on Wednesday (Aug 24) said there was not enough food and drinking water on the boat.

"There is no more sugar, fish, meat and salt in the boat, only rice," Prem Kumar, the immigrant, said.

He said the 87 Sri Lankan immigrants aboard the MV Alicia were in "very bad" condition because they did not have enough food and drinking water.

They could each have only one small bottle of mineral water per one person for two days. "We are thirsty," Prem Kumar said.

Prem Kumar and four other immigrants, namely Tharma Palan, Syakaran, Kajan and Theepan had jumped off the MV Alicia on Wednesday (Aug 24) at 3.30 am local time.

Some 87 Sri Lankan immigrants wanting to ask for asylum in New Zealand or Canada, had been staying aboard the MV Alicia in Tanjungpinang waters since July 10, 2011, after they were arrested in Riau Strait waters, Batam. They had previously refused to leave the boat before their demand was met.

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PLN exploring gas supplies from Australia, PNG

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - State electricity company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) is looking into the possibility of gas supplies from Australia, Papua New Guinea and Qatar to meet its gas needs, its president director said.

"We will select which of them will offer the best price," PLN President Director Dahlan Iskan said in the Vice Presidential Palace compounds here on Thursday.

Earlier, the state power utilities also explored the possibility of gas supplies from Iran. The company was in the middle of negotiating with Iran on gas price, he said.

It seemed that Iran was serious about supplying gas to PLN, he said.

"The negotiations are still going on. Last week, an Iranian delegation came to Indonesia, meaning that they (Iran) are serious about supplying gas to PLN," he said.

The Iranian delegation`s visit to Indonesia came after PLN officials visited Iran some time ago to explore the possibility of gas supplies.

Dahlan said PLN was also in the process of bidding for gas supplies from Qatar. However, he stopped short of revealing the bidding price. "I don`t want to comment on it because this is trade," he said.

He said PLN was in dire need of additional gas supplies following the government`s plan to reduce energy subsidies next year.

PLN needs an extra gas supply of 600 billion British thermal unit per day (BBTUD) to meet its gas needs of 900 BBTUD.

"We have 300 BBTUD now. We need another 600 BBTUD," he said.

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Garuda recruits stewardesses iIn Korea

Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA News) - Indonesian flag carrier PT Garuda Indonesia has recruited a number of stewardesses in Seoul, South Korea, Garuda`s Vice President Corporate Communications, Pujobroto, told ANTARA News from Surabaya, East Java, on Friday.

"A medical examination of the prospective stewardesses to work for Garuda was done by a doctor under professional standards," Pujobroto said.

During the medical examination, the doctor was accompanied by Garuda`s local female staff members who are Korean nationals, he said, adding that the staff members gave explanations related to the health test.

The selection of stewardesses started on July 27, 2011, and five of those who applied, failed to continue the next selection process, he said.
(Uu.KR-LWA/H-NG/F001)

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Bali imports capital goods worth $44.6 mln

Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA News) - Bali imported a variety of capital goods worth US$44.6 million in the first five months of 2011 to boost its economic growth.

The capital goods mostly consisted of manufactured products, Jeffrey Kairupan, official of Bank Indonesia (the central bank)`s office in Bali, said in a report on economic and financial studies on Friday.

He said local businessmen, most of them tourism operators, imported a variety of capital goods in the hope of encouraging the local economy and increasing the local people`s living standard.

The imported capital goods included wheat, ships, floating structures, mechanical appliances, electrical apparatuses, jewelry and iron and steel products.

He said the imported capital goods were bought from about 30 countries, including China, the United States, Singapore, Russia, Vietnam and Britain.

Most of the capital goods were imported from China with a total value of US$12.6 million, followed by the United States with US$7.4 million and Singapore with US$5.7 million, he said.

It seemed that all parties had not questioned the high value of imported capital goods because they believed the capital goods would have a positive impact on the regional economy and the local people`s welfare, he said.
(Uu.S012/HAJM/F001)

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Sri Lanka lifts state of emergency

New Delhi (ANTARA) - Sri Lanka today announced the lifting of the state of emergency imposed nearly 30 years ago to confront the threat from the Tamil Tigers.

The announcement was made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Parliament saying, "I am satisfied that the state of emergency is no longer required. So we will not extend it."

Rajapaksa said, "Today I propose to this assembly the withdrawal of the emergency laws to enable the country to conduct its affairs through its normal laws and in a democractic manner," PTI news agency reported.

The island nation has been under a state of emergency since 1983, when the LTTE under its late commander Velupillai Prabhakaran was posing a threat to the country's government and forces.

The announcement of the withdrawal of the draconian laws came as Colombo is facing intense international pressure to end the arbitrary laws with human rights group accusing authorities of misusing it to crack down on dissent.

The Parliament extended the state of emergency every month and the practise was continued despite the end of the war in 2009.

Rajapaksa said there had been not a single act of terrorism in the island since the war with the LTTE ended in May 2009.

Emergency regulations allowed the security forces to detain a person whom they "believe may commit offences," for up to one year as a preventive measure.

The laws were first introduced in 1971 after an insurrection by the Marxists to topple the then government, but was abolished in 1977.

In 1983, the regulations came to be re-imposed with the stepping up of the separatist campaign by the LTTE.

In 1994, the regulations were limited to the north and eastern districts where the LTTE were running their parallel administration.

The whole country was put under the regulations in 1995 when the LTTE resumed its hostilities after a brief period of talks with the government.

With the government entering the Norwegian backed peace talks with the LTTE, the state of emergency was lifted in 2002 only to be re-imposed in August 2005 when the LTTE carried out the murder of the then foreign minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.

The Rajapaksa government in May this year relaxed some of the provisions where the period of detention was reduced to three months. (A045)

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Iran backs restoration security in Iraq

Tehran (ANTARA News) - President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Thursday that the Islamic Republic of Iran fully backs restoration of security and progress in Iraq.

President Ahmadinejad made the remarks in a meeting with visiting Iraqi deputy chairman of Iraqi Kurdistan administration Nechirvan Barzani.

Given historical and cultural affinities between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iraq, President Ahmadinejad said Iran calls for expansion of all-out cooperation with Iraq on mutual interests.

President Ahmadinejad, IRNA-0ANA reported, said that anyone who creates obstacles in the way of success and development of Iraq would be considered its enemies.

He said that a developed and stable Iraq will be to the benefit of Iran as well as the entire region.

President Ahmadinejad said that the future belongs to the nations in this region and by the time they remain united, the enemies never dare to take action against them.

President Ahmadinejad said that common enemies of Iran and Iraq who have plundered the region for over a century are now seeking to mastermind new plots to create insecurity in the region.

He said that it requires vigilance of all nations to thwart the conspiracy.

Referring to recent developments in Libya, President Ahmadinejad said that the bullying powers seek to spend cost of their hegemonic adventurism from the wealth of the other countries and have currently focused on libya to plunder its wealth.

He called on Libyan nation to take care of their national wealth from theft.

The Iraqi official, on his part briefed the president on his country`s situation and thanked Iran?s assistance to restore security and stability of Iraq.

"We believe that regional problems should be settled down through contribution and assistance of countries in the region."

Iraq will oppose to any threat against Iran?s security, he said.

He also thanked Iran?s assistance to the people of Iraqi Kurdistan province mainly in the wake of chemical attacks by Saddam Hussein on Halabja which claimed lives of several thousand people. (A045/)

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President asks farmers to make Indonesia rice center

Baturraden, C Java (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono appealed on Thursday to all farmers to work hand in hand to make Indonesia the world`s rice production center.

He made the appeal moment before he broke the fast along with farmers at Karangmangu soccer field at Baturraden, Banyumas district, Central Java.

"We can increase our rice production significantly so our dream of turning Indonesia into a rice production center in the country or the world can come into being," he said.

The President said the government had committed itself to increase budget allocations for the agricultural sector. Hopefully, Indonesia would have a rice surplus of up to 10 million tons in the years to come.

"The budget allocations for the agricultural sector will be raised in 2012. Hopefully, the increase in budget allocations will further raise our rice production," he said.

On the occasion, the head of state also handed assistance to Dewi Sri farmers group to encourage them to increase their productivity.

The President was in Baturraden as part of his five-day Ramadhan safari which earlier took him to a number of districts in West Java and Central Java provinces.

In Cilacap district, the President inspected rice harvest at Sampang area and held a dialog with local farmers.

The President`s entourage included National Education Minister M Nuh, State Minister for Cooperatives and Small Businesses Syarif Hassan, Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi and Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam. (*)

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Telkomsel dispatches 5,000 Idul Fitri travelers for free

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Some 5,000 Idul Fitri travelers are joining free `mudik` (home-bound trips) program of cellular phone operator PT Telkomsel this year, an executive of the company said.

As part of the program, PT Telkomsel dispatched 1,000 Idul Fitri travelers on Thursday using train.

The 1,000 Idul Fitri travelers went home towns through PT Telkomsel`s Mudik (going home towns) for free program or `Mudik TelkomselSiaga Gratis.`

"TelkomSiaga Mudik For Free program is a form of appreciation of Telkomsel for its customers and a synergy with state-owned railway company PT Kreta Api Indonesia (KAI)," Telkomsel`s Vice President for Jakarta and West Java Venusiana Papasi said after bidding a farewell to the travelers at Gambir Railway station here on Thursday.

Vanusiana said the travelers were transported by 136 coaches of the executive Agro Anggrek, Bima and Sembrani trains, with the farthest destination of Surabaya in East Java.

The trains will pass on two main lanes, namely the northern lane (Agro Anggrek and Sembrani) passing by Pekalongan, Semarang and Surabaya (final distination), and the southern lane (Agro Anggrek and Bima) passing by Cirebon, Purwokerto, Yogyakarta, Solo, Madiun, Kertosono, Jombang and Surabaya (final destination).

She said that Telkomsel in its `Mudik TelkomselSiaga for free` for 2011 dispatched 5,000 Idul Fitri customer travelers who were transported by five modes of transportation, namely trains, ships, buses, cars and airplanes.

Through the sea, Telkomsel sent 2,000 travelers with the routes of Makassar-Tanjung Perak of Surabaya (Laboar ship, 600 travelers), Belawan-Batam (Kelud ship, 700 passengers, Ambon - Bau Bau South Sulawesi (Dobonsolo ship, 350) and Sampit - Palangkaraya - Tanjung Emas - Semarang (Lawit ship, 350).

"Telkomsel is the only cellular operator which serves travelers with a telecommunication facility on 15 ships of the state-owned shipping lines PT Pelni," Venusiana said.

Apart from that, Telkomsel also facilitated the departure of 100 travelers using cars in cooperation with a Toyota, Daihatsu and Nissan sole agent (ATPM).

The number of Telkom`s mudik for free program`s participants using buses reached 1,000 customers while those departing in airplanes consisted of 600 Idul Fitri revelers with the routes of Jakarta-Padang, Jakarta-Surabaya and Jakarta - Makassar.
(Uu.A014/HAJM/S012)

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RI team in Kenya to help Somalian famine refugees

Jakarta  (ANTARA News) - A team of Indonesian humanitarian workers from ACT (Quick Response Action) is currently in Kenya to help Somalian famine refugees staying in a camp at Dadaab near the border with Somalia.

Imam Akbari, the team leader, in a message to ANTARA News on Thursday said the team consisting of two doctors and two logistics volunteers would set up a base camp in Garissa, the capital of the North Eastern Province of Kenya.

The team was in Nairobi on Saturday (Aug 20) and planning to proceed to Mogadishu, Somalia, after completing its mission in refugee camp at Dadaab, he said.

The Dadaab refugee camp was controlled by Kenya`s Immigration Ministry and UNHCR and located in North Eastern Province, an area in northeastern Kenya, that was the driest and poorest in Kenya, Imam said.

The majority of the people living in Dadaab was Muslim, and according to the Kenyan Red Cross, there were about four million poor Kenyan people in the area.

In Garissa, the team`s base camp was facilitated by Sulaiman, a local leader who had studied at UIN Jakarta. "This is evidence that Somalia, Kenya and Africa are our close relatives," said Imam.

Based on data obtained by the ACT team, the number of Somali refugees in Dadaab camp reaches 400,000, with quite high migration rate at 1200-1500 people per day.

"To reach Dadaab, Somali refugees have to walk a distance of 100 km," Imam said.

Indonesia ACT Team for Somalia is a humanitarian team dispatched by the Indonesian Committee for Solidarity Somalia (KISS).

KISS was initiated by the Quick Response Action (ACT) and declared Friday (Aug 19) in Masjid Agung Al Azhar, Jakarta as Indonesia`s response to the famine in Somalia.

Imam Akbari said his team was the first humanitarian group dispatched by KISS.

"We will work from the current emergency phase up to the recovery phase," he said.

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Travelers at Kupang airport to peak at D-day minus 4

Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA News) - The flow of Idul Fitri travelers at Kupang`s El Tari airport is expected to take place on D-Day minus three or minus four, assistant manager of El Tari airport Edi Chahyono said.

"We base our prediction on the flow of travelers at the airport last year when it peaked on three days and four days before the D-Day," Edi said here on Thursday.

He said that in an effort to anticipate the surge in the flow of passengers, his office had set a service command post to smooth the flow of travelers who went home towns and the reverse flow when they returned from their villages.

Edi said that the command post had been operating since Wednesday and would remain there until the D-Day plus seven.

He said that in 2010, the average number of travelers flowing through the port was 1,500 per day.

The normal 17 flights per day would likely be raised to 28 flights during the 2011 Idul Fitri festivities, he said.
(Uu.A014/HAJM/S012)

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Travelers at Makassar Port peak on D-day minus 5

Makassar, South Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - Idul Fitri travelers flowing through Makassar seaport of South Sulawesi peaked on Thursday with four motorized ships serving them, a port official said.

"Today four ships docked at the piers of the Makassar port to serve Idul Fitri travelers," Totok Iswanto, a port terminal official, said here on Thursday.

The four ships were KM Kerinci, KM Kalimutu, KM Willis and KM Dempo which arrived from a number of regions in Indonesia.

KM Dempo arrived at 1.0 am local time (Wita) and left for Ambon at 4.0 am Wita, KM Kerinci arrived at 9.0 am Wita from Bau Bau and left for Balikpapan at 5.pm Wita, KM Willis and KM Kalimutu arrived in the evening and left for Bau-Bau and Maumera respectively.

Arsidi, a passenger, has been waiting for KM Willis before it arrived. "We had better wait at the port. We are afraid to be left by the ship because we live outside Makassar," he said.
(Uu.A014/HAJM/S012)

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Mustafa Abubakar running normally in chief`s absence

ustafa Abubakar.

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The State Ministry for State Enterprises (BUMN) is continuing to run normally although its chief, Minister Mustafa Abubakar, is being treated in hospital, a minister said.

"Although State Minister for State Enterprises Mustafa Abubakar is sick in hospital, his office is operating as usual," Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa said here on Thursday.

Hatta said he would appoint someone to perform Mustafa Abubakar`s main duties on a temporary basis.

"We are not yet considering replacing the ailing BUMN minister," Hatta said.

Hatta added that he still wanted to see what the tentative accountability would look like.

"However the important thing is that the performance of BUMN will continue to run as usual, although its minister is ill in hospital," Hatta said.

Minister Mustafa Abubakar was admitted to Medistra Hospital in South Jakarta on Tuesday at 11.00 a.m., August 23, 2011.

"He is being treated in the ICU room," Mustafa`s adjutant, Faisal Halimi, said at the hospital.

Faisal said Mustafa was being treated intensively.

"Doctors still can not establish the cause of the disease. But Mustafa`s health condition is getting better," he said.

Earlier, on Tuesday at 03.30 a.m., Mustafa was treated at MMC Hospital in Kuningan, Jakarta.

Mustafa was appointed to the post of state enterprises minister in October 2009.

Born in Pidie, Aceh, on October 15, 1949, Mustafa was president director of the National Logistics Board (Bulog) before becoming a cabinet minister.

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Asean Foundation, Health Ministry Discuss Traditional Medicines Meeting

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - ASEAN Foundation Executive Director Dr. Makarim Wibisono and two officials of the health ministry discussed a plan to organize the Third ASEAN Conference on Traditional Medicines in Indonesia, from October 31 to November 3, 2011.

The two officials of the health ministry were Dra. Niniek Kun Naryatie, the Head of the Center of International Cooperation, and Doddy Izwardy, the Head of the Division of Regional Health Cooperation, the ASEAN Foundation said in a press statement here on Wednesday.

During the discussion which was held on Tuesday (Aug 23), the Ministry of Health sought the possibility of cooperating with the ASEAN Foundation to support the ASEAN Task Force on Traditional Medicines meeting that will serve as a session during the conference.

Dr. Makarim Wibisono pointed out that the Foundation attaches great importance to the ASEAN level event such as the traditional medicines meeting because this activity falls perfectly into its mandates.

The 10th ASEAN Ministers Meetings in Singapore that was conducted on 22nd July 2010 stated the importance of traditional medicines among the 6 points of the ASEAN strategic framework on health development.

To initiate the collaboration among ASEAN Member States in integrating of the traditional medicine into the national health care system, the ASEAN Secretariat supported by Nippon Foundation commences the ASEAN Conferences on traditional medicines.

In the last decade, traditional medicines have been widely used by the health community services in all ASEAN member countries.

Many strategically high level meetings and thematic workshops in each ASEAN Member State have endorsed policies, regulations, and formulation of framework related to the traditional medicines. (*)

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Soekarno-Hatta Airport sets up 8 health care posts

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Jakarta`s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport has set up eight health care posts on its premises for the benefit of Lebaran holiday travelers, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

The ministry`s disease control and environmental sanitation spokesman Tjandra Yoga Aditama said at the airport on Thursday that the health posts were prepared to provided health services to holiday travelers.

"There is a health post at every terminal of the airport and a clinic which operates 24 hours and so we have 8 health posts all together at Soekarno-Hatta," Tjandra said.

He said the health posts 6 days before this year`s Lebaran festivity had already helped 34 patients. The number of passengers at the airport six and seven days before the holiday had increased from last year`s.

Besides, the Health Ministry had since Tuesday, August 23, 2011, opened a health post at 29 Percetakan Negara street in Central Jakarta for holiday travelers.

Tjandra said the post was set up by Health Ministry`s Disease Control and Environmental Sanitation (P2PL), and it could be directly accessed with National Police Headquarters` National Traffic Management Center.

From that post, road traffic development in Jakarta, South Sumatra, West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, East Java, and Bali could be monitored through four TV monitoring screens.

The post can also be contacted by phone at number 02142877587 and Dr Lucky Tjahyono as contact person at number 0811902378, or through the facebook with profile name Mudik Sehat and Twitter @MudikSehat. (Uu.O001/HAJM)

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PT Timah`s profit up 113.98 percent

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - PT Timah Tbk. (TINS) booked a net profit of Rp689 billion in the first semester this year which was an increase of 113.98 percent from Rp322 billion in the same period last year.

Corporate secretary Rielisa Fitria said in a press statement received here on Thursday one of the drivers of the company`s profit hike was the selling price of tin metal which was 69 percent higher than that of the same period last year.

She said the price of tin metal the company gained in the period was recorded at US$29,541 while the price of the commodity in the same period last year was recorded at only US$17,529.

She said the highest price of tin metal in the first semester of 2011 was US$33,255 per metric ton and the lowest was US$24,600 per metric ton with the average price standing at US$29,337 per metric ton which was 67 percent higher than that of the same period last year recorded at US$17,529.

"The world consumption of tin metal is predicted to continue to rise in the years to come while the world consumption of tin metal in 2011 is estimated to be two percent higher than that of the same period last year," she said.

She said PT Timah has been striving to increase its revenue by focusing on premium metal sales and development of downstream products.

She said the company also tried to reduce its dependency on-land mining by increasing the capacity of off-shore mining.

"Right now the company is still building a Bucket Wheel Dredge type dredger with a better technology that could dredge deeper than the present Bucket Line Dredge could achieve to support the company`s `go offshor go deeper" plan," she said.

She said the production of tin ore from offshore mines in the first semester this year totalled 8,255 ton sn, down nine percent from 9,085 tons in 2010.

She said total ore production from on-land mines reached 9,446 tons sn up 11 percent from 8,503 ton sn in 2010.

"Production of tin metal until the end of June 2011 was recorded at 18,455 metric tons while metal production reached 19,501 tons," she said.

PT Timah`s consolidated revenue in the first semester this year rose 29 percent to Rp4.830 trillion compared to Rp3,749 trillion in the same period last year.

For the period until June 30, 2011, the company`s assets were recorded at Rp6.528 trilion, 11 percent higher than Rp5.881 trillion by December 2010.

"The rise in the value of assets was followed by a rise in short-term liabilities by 32 percent," she said.

She said the value of short-term liabilities on June 30, 2011 reached Rp1.675 trillion and the debt value on December 31, 2010 was recorded at Rp1.269 trillion.

In the first semester this year, the price of tin stock fluctuated with its highest recorded at Rp2,925 and its lowest at Rp2,375 per share.

"Until June 30, 2011 the stock price was closed at Rp2,500 per share down a little from the opening price early in January, 2011 at Rp2,850," she said.

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Susi Air plane fails to land as smoke blanked the airport

Smoke blanked the airport

Muara Taweh, C Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - A Susi Air plane failed to land at Beringin Muara Teweh Airport in North Barito district, Central Kalimantan, as thick smoke blanketed the area on Thursday.

The plane which was supposed to arrive at the airport at 10 a.m. from Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, was forced to divert its flight to Sepinggan Airport in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, an ANTARA journalist in Muara Taweh observed.

The Cessna plane had flown around the airport six times for 20 minutes before its pilot diverted the flight to Balikpapan.

"As thick smoke blanketed the airport the pilot decided to divert the flight to Balikpapan," spokesman of Beringin Muara Teweh Airport Sidik said.

The thick smoke reduced visibility to 500 meters in the morning with a vertical visibility of 800 feet, he said.

A number of passengers at the Beringin Muara Teweh airport said they were disappointed at the incident. They preferred to wait at the airport until the weather returned to normal. However, by 11.30 a.m. thick smoke still covered the town.

The thick smoke also forced a Pelita Air plane which was supposed to take off from Syamsuddin Noor Airport in Banjarmasin at 10.00 to postpone its departure to Muara Teweh.

"The flights are not closed. They will be resumed until the weather returns to normal in the evening," he said.

Head of the Muara Teweh Natural Resources Conservation Office (KSDA)Yusuf Trismanto said slash-and-burn practices to make way for farm land was to blame for the thick smoke blanketing the town over the past few days. (S012)

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Dead or alive: Libya offer $1.7 mln for Kadhafi

Benghazi, Libya (ANTARA News/AFP) - Libyan businessmen have offered two million dinars ($1.67 million, 1.2 million euros) for the capture of Moamer Kadhafi, dead or alive, the head of the rebel National Transitional Council said on Wednesday.

"The NTC supports the initiative of businessmen who are offering two million dinars for the capture of Moamer Kadhafi, dead or alive," Mustafa Abdel Jalil said told a news conference in Benghazi.

Abdel Jalil, Kadhafi`s former justice minister who defected after the onset of the uprising in mid-February, also offered amnesty to "members of (Kadhafi`s) close circle who kill him or capture him."

"Moamer Kadhafi`s regime will not be over until he is captured dead or alive" Abdel Jalil insisted.

"We fear a catastrophe because of his behaviour," he added.

Abdel Jalil also confirmed reports from Tripoli that pro-Kadhafi gunmen were still on the loose inside the strongman`s Bab al-Aziziya compound, although it fell to rebels on Tuesday.

"As long as Kadhafi is not captured, the loyalists will continue to shoot," said Abdel Jalil.

The rebel chief also called on residents of Kadhafi`s hometown in Sirte, and those in Bin Walid, to join rebel ranks.

"Kadhafi has played up divisions in these regions by telling residents that rebels will come and take their women and their money. They should not believe these lies made by the tyrant," he said.

Kadhafi, whose whereabouts are a mystery, had offered a reward for the capture of Abdel Jalil in March, after he joined the rebels in their eastern stronghold of Benghazi. (*)

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