Speak Up U'r Mind: 03/10/11

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Britain in Eurofighter Talks with Indonesia

Britain is in talks with Indonesia on the possible sale of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft despite concerns over Jakarta’s human rights record, The Times newspaper reported Thursday. Indonesia informally approached Britain over the potential acquisition of up to 24 jets.
The previous Labour government banned defence exports to the country in 1999 amid claims it had used British-made planes to bomb civilians. The sale would be worth around 5 billion pounds ($8.1 billion dollars, 5.8 billion euros) in total, the paper said, but would be hugely controversial in light of current concern over the source of weapons being used against Arab rebels.
British military company BAE Systems has separately offered to upgrade Indonesia’s fleet of Hawk jets, it said. Gerald Howarth, a British defence minister, will discuss the potential sale when he attends a defence summit in Jakarta later this month, the Times said.
“I fully expect that to be the case,” Howarth told the paper. “Typhoon is on their agenda. Their interest shows the extent of interest by countries around the world in what is one of the most sophisticated aircraft anywhere.”
Human rights group Amnesty International accuses Indonesia of rights violations including police torture and a restricted media. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s Labour government blocked the sale of jets after it was claimed that Indonesia’s Hawk fleet had bombed East Timor rebels.
Kaye Stearman, a spokeswoman for Campaign Against Arms Trade, told the Times: “From 1994 to 1999 Indonesia bought half of its military equipment from the UK, backed by UK export credits.
“The people of Indonesia have accumulated huge debts which they are still paying off. The Hawk jets and other British-made weaponry were used by Indonesia in East Timor, West Papua and Aceh.
“With such a dreadful record, BAE and the British government should not be trying to sell more weapons to Indonesia,” she added.
Eurofighters were grounded last year in several countries due to the problematic ejectors after a crash killed a Saudi pilot.

Court Rejects Ba'asyir Not Guilty Plea

A South Jakarta District Court jury on Thursday rejected Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba’asyir’s not guilty plea in the face of charges he had financed terrorist activity in Aceh.
"We hereby reject Abu Bakar Ba’asyir’s plea. The judge sees no political measures in the arrest. Therefore this trial will be continued," Chairman of the the judge team, Herry Swantoro, said here on Thursday at the trial.
Earlier, the public prosecutor indicted Baasyir had financially sponsored terrorists training in Aceh. Defending himself towards the accusation, Baasyir said his arrest was politically motivated and injustice.
After the Thursday trial, public prosecutor asked the judge to present key witnesses in the trial through teleconference due to concern about their safety. Baasyir’s lawyer protested the proposal saying that the trial had been escorted by thousands of police and therefore concern about security matter was irrelevant.
In respond to the request from the public prosecutor and protest by Baasyir’s lawyer, the judge decided to suspend the Thursday trial for 1.5 hours to discuss about the matter. Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba`asyir himself was arrested on August 9, 2010 for allegedly knowing, supporting and receiving reports about preparations for terrorist attacks.
Baasyir was detained while he was passing the Banjar police office at the border between West Java and Central Java provinces in his car. Police said Abu Bakar Baasyir was believed to have received reports routinely about terrorist plans for bombing attacks in Indonesia.

Indonesia, IMF Discuss Strategies to Deal with Hot Money

Indonesian financial and investment authorities and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will hold a high-level conference themed "Coping with Asia’s Large Capital Inflows in a Multi-Speed Global Economy" on March 11, 2011 in Bali.
Bank Indonesia (BI) in an announcement, on Thursday, said the one-day conference will bring together leading academics, researchers, investors and policymakers from Asia and other emerging market countries.
The conference, with BI and the Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) as hosts, aims to provide an opportunity for discussions concerning the most recent developments regarding capital flows as well as ways to manage them effectively.
According to BI, the conference will allow policymakers from around the world to interact and share their invaluable experiences in managing capital flows at the gathering which will be jointly opened by BI Governor Darmin Nasution and IMF Director for Asia and the Pacific, Anoop Singh.
The theme of the conference is to cover the prospect of capital flows to emerging markets during the global recovery, and the appropriate policy response to benefit from the opportunities created by capital flows, including managing the risks
Another theme is on the challenge of channelling capital flows into long-term investment in order to bolster growth prospects and help facilitate balanced and sustainable global growth.
This conference represents a continuation of the previous conference in Daejeon, South Korea, in July 2010, where the IMF committed to strengthening new relationships with countries in the Asian region.

More Indonesians Arrive Home from Libya

A total of 216 Indonesian evacuees from Libya were scheduled to arrive at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport here on Thursday morning. The government-sponsored task force for evacuating Indonesians said the evacuees were flown by Garuda’s Airbus 330-200 aircraft and arrived here at about 04.31 AM Jakarta time.
Before being transported to their respective hometowns, they were goven shelter at the Pondok Gede Hajj Dormitory. The evacuees consisted of students and migrant workers. With the same Garuda aircraft, 213 Indonesians, mostly students, left for Egypt on March 8.
Of the 1,985 Indonesians who had registered to return to Egypt at the National Educational Ministry’s official website, 340 had been flown back to the country from Jakarta. The remaining was still waiting for the completion of their travel documents.
At the Indonesian embassy in Tripoli, Libya, 123 Indonesians remained in there. They consisted of students and the embassy’s staff. Indonesia has decided to temporarily repatriate its citizens from political upheaval-hit countries as Egypt and Libya for security reasons.
The people of Egypt and Libya have demanded their presidents’ resignation. Despite Hosni Mubarak’s willingness to step down, Libyan president, Moammar Khadafy, consistently rejected the anti-government backers’ calls for his resignation. Instead, Khadafy clings to power amid a civil war that has claimed several thousands of lives.
Presidential spokesman Teuku Faizasyah recently said the government could not force Indonesians evacuated from Libya and still sheltered in Tunisia for repatriation.
He said "the government cannot force them to do what is best for them. But at least, they have moved from the conflict area to a stable country," he said.
Foreign Minister Spokesman Michael Tene said there were some Indonesian students who did not want to be returned to Indonesia and preferred to wait in Tunisia.

The Importance Of Saving Home Energy And Exactly How It Can Be Done

In this advanced way of life, the value of saving home energy is consistently rising since an increasing number of scientific as well as technological creations are really absorbing the organic and natural resources on the planet that are merely finite. If all people were to conserve energy, the world would probably have far more chance for scientific, communal in addition to political enhancement. Its for these reasons, experts along with environmentalists suggest that we all do what we should can to save energy. Although switching off and also unplugging home appliances of saving energy is often a convenient technique for saving electricity, you'll have to head for a few other energy conserving tips concurrently.

A great way to decrease home energy expenditure is to try to control just how much air which enters it, both in the wintertime and in the summertime. Do this by making certain that there are no openings, chips or breaks inside walls, corners and also edges of doorways plus glass windows and each and every hole in your home. To get this done, just hover your palm over any spot you believe may have a hole or possibly a fracture, and then sense if you experience any air getting as a result of them. It's an uncomplicated strategy to identify any problematic region and fix it up.

As everyone knows, another really good method for reducing home energy is definitely to take away the existing filament bulbs and then switch them with CFL light bulbs. This can definitely help you save a considerable amount of electricity and money as soon as it all accumulates. The benefits associated with this sort of lighting products is that they can keep going 10 times more as opposed to filament light bulbs, they give clean white light rather than a yellow light, and naturally they eat up considerably less energy. Another thing regarding these types of bulbs which makes them really cool is that they really are completely recyclable, meaning that you actually will not be required to dump them all and induce additional wastefulness at the landfill.

Lastly, yet another intriguing method is to try to reduce the actual thermostat reading to as low as possible, somewhere around 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit and then keep it right there - do not let it go up! You will save home energy and even some money using this tactic; taking the heat from the thermostat lower two or three degrees can help you save a number of dollars when everything adds up. In general, building an environmentally friendly and also energy saving way of living is an activity that is very important for everybody, and not simply those people who are keen on lowering costs by simply doing this sort of things. Many houses have similar forms of energy allocated and put to use in the same appliances. Still, a number of people have really found out precisely how to make the most of the energy crisis to not only increase the efficiency of their own properties, but also to have a far more calm, time as well as financially successful lifestyle.

Live A Clean Green Life With Eco Friendly Products

Earth has a fantastic abundance of nature that is getting depleted every day. This is primarily happening due to human influence through wastes and dangerous man made products that are detrimental to nature. With an increase of inorganic and unnatural products, your life and the nature that surrounds you is in great jeopardy. In this scenario, you can create a change in your life and take the green road that will help in making your surroundings healthier. If you wish to lead a clean and green life then there are many interesting eco friendly products out there that you can consider.

From apparels and bags to jewelry and swimwear, you can opt for eco shopping options in all these areas. One of the primary areas in which you can bring about a drastic change in your life is with the sort of clothing you sport. Man made fabrics and textures are not only harmful to the environment, they can be really bad for your skin and your health. This is where the need has arisen for green clothing that is prepared from organic and natural raw materials. Not only do they take care of your skin in the gentlest manner, they are quite attractive and original too.

If you are a person who is always updated on the fashion trends, you will be one of those people who loves to sport trendy bags. In this area too you can take the green route as there are eco fashion bags and accessories that have come around with a unique look that will appeal to one and all. In terms of alternate clothing needs for swimwear too, you can get eco friendly options. By engaging in green shopping, you can get your hands on products that are truly healthy in every possible way.

One of the primary products that are always in demand is jewelry. You can get your kind of jewelry in many stores and outlets around you but you can now get green options for your ornamental needs too. With the option of environment friendly products in jewelry, nowadays you can sport a great look without harming the environment in any way. A lot of people need to use beauty products to take care of their look, the face and the body. Chemical products can be really detrimental for your skin in the long run and disposing them will cause great environmental hazards too. This is where you can get the ideal solutions by using beauty items made from natural products.

The world is taking a turn towards the green side as mankind is beginning to witness the side effects of ignoring nature. There are many human activities that contribute steadily in the deterioration of the environment. By opting to use organic products, you can bring about a significant change and promote the benefits of these wonderful options too. Nowadays, you can get your hands on a wide range of green items in an eco friendly store. With the help of the amazing advantages offered by these green avenues, you can lead a green life that will keep you and the nature protected.

Live A Clean Green Life With Eco Friendly Products

Solar PV (Photovoltic)

This is the age of making a strong decision in favour of human being and environment , Now we have to be serious about a new and powerful energy source .With climate change global warming at the forefront of the agenda, there has been much discussion and research into finding an alternative to traditional sources of energy. Finally we find out one of the best option Sun Energy (Solar PV). Solar electricity systems capture the sun's energy using photovoltaic (PV) cells. The cells convert the sunlight into electricity, which can be used to run household appliances and lighting.

Solar PV offers a number of advantages over other sources of renewable energy. Its impacts include: the effect of emissions on human health and welfare, agricultural productivity, and infrastructure; the security costs of ensuring a reliable oil supply and a safe nuclear resource; and the potential costs of adjusting to global climate change. Following are the basic reasons why investing in solar PV for your home and Industries benefits both you for financial and the environment.

1. No harmful emissions or greenhouse gases. Solar power is a clean, renewable and sustainable source of energy.

2. solar PVtechnology is low maintenance, durable and completely noiseless. Unlike wind turbines there are no moving parts to break and no noise pollution. Once installed, PV panels require very little maintenance, and are incredibly durable.

3. The sun is an unlimited, free source of energy that is available worldwide. PV panels only require daylight, not direct sunlight to produce electricity. This means that they are not just effective in the summer months, but all year round, even on the cloudy days.

4. Free electricity during the day. When your PV system is generating electricity during the day, you will not have to buy electricity from your supplier. Therefore running appliances during the day will help you save hundreds of pounds off your electricity bill.

5. solar PV technology is versatile. Depending on your preference, you can choose between having PV panels installed onto your existing roof, or integrating the technology into the building materials themselves with solar tiles or slates.

6. Solar PV is a good investment. With the introduction of the Feed-In Tariff, homeowners are now paid for every unit of electricity they generate from their PV panels, even if they use it themselves. solar PV not only offers the highest payments, but also the longest payment period.

7. Protect yourself from rising energy prices. The cost of traditional energy sources is rising and is likely to continue to do so. By installing a solar PV system on your home you will have your own source of free electricity and therefore depend less on electricity suppliers to power your home.

8. A solar PV system could increase the value of your home. As it is a source of free electricity and income thanks to the Feed-In Tariffs, a solar PV system is likely to make your home more attractive to potential buyers.

9. Easy, hassle-free installation. Once a site survey has been completed for your home to ensure it is suitable, the installation process is very simple.

10.No maintenance, with a long functional lifetime of 30+ years. PV solar installed in the 1960's is still working.

11.Silent in operation.

12.No planning permission needed.

13.Works all year round.

Why not sell your old mobile phone for cash

Tossing away a superbly very good, nevertheless old mobile handset appears to be an important waste to me. But exactly what do I do with my old phones? I did think of giving them away, but most individuals I understand are like me, they have a quantity of used mobile phone devices saved in their drawer, gathering dust. That’s why I’m fascinated by the idea of selling my phone for money. Finding a new home for my unwanted worn out mobile handset sounds very good though the fact that I’m getting some money back for this is even better.

The very idea of my worn out mobile phone getting inside the container and ending up in the landfill makes me feel guilty. I am aware that mobiles possess dangerous chemical compounds within them that will harm environmental surroundings if they are just carelessly disposed. The thought that I’m liable for poisoning a piece of land and making it unusable sounds really frightening. (Ok, don’t point out that my driving to the office everyday probably causes more harm to the planet when compared with my own mobile, that’s another matter, altogether.)

Actually, the key reason why I’m hesitant to easily bin my phones is really because I’ve paid great money for them. Yes, I’ve used them, however the thought of simply tossing something that cost me personally over a $ 100 or so pounds a year ago makes me think that I’m just frittering money away. Selling my mobile and recycle mobile phones for cash just eases that guilt slightly, not to mention it allows me personally a bit of cash for the brand new mobile phone that has just been launched.

I found that selling my mobile or recycling mobile phones for cash is actually very simple. There are loads of recycling organizations that will compensate good money for worn out mobile phone devices, particularly those with high specification. Personally, I don’t own a costly smart phone. I always choose the mid-range ones. But if you, however, have expensive taste and have always gone for the top end mobile phones, your old phone can fetch as many as £190. That shows that the money you get from selling your mobile phone can pay approximately a third of the cost of the brand new one.

However, should your old phone is slightly older plus much more basic, chances are, probably you'll only get a very few quid from selling your mobile, £3 at the most. But don’t feel bad over it. Think of it as recycling mobile phones for cash. Your phone is not doing anything useful anyway. It is only taking valuable space, so why not let someone safely dispose it for you and have some cash along the way? It is not going to cost you anything and you'll feel better getting rid of your older phone

How to Unclog Your Toilet Like a Pro

It’s your worst nightmare. You get done doing your business and flush the toilet. But to your complete dismay, instead of the water going down, it starts coming up, along with everything else that’s in the bowl. In this moment of truth, do you run for the hills and claim that you are not the commode culprit? Or do you man up and unclog that toilet like a pro?

This classic crisis can be averted by knowing a few simple tricks to unclogging a backed up toilet.

Control the flow of water

If it looks like the toilet is about to overflow, take the lid off of the tank as quickly as possible and close the toilet flapper. This will stop the flapper from releasing more water from the tank into the bowl and will allow you to stop the flood BEFORE it happens.

Use your plunger correctly Now it is time to use your plunger. To effectively use a plunger, you need to create a good seal between it and the toilet bowl. Once you begin plunging, do not place all of your focus on the downward push, but on the pullback as well because it is just as important. Give a few good up and down strokes with the plunger and try to flush the toilet. If the water successfully drains from the toilet, then you have effectively unclogged it. But if the toilet starts overflowing again, you need to close the flapper again and repeat the plunge and flush progression until your clog is gone.

Know how to use an auger If the plunger does not work you may need to use an auger. An auger is a device that helps you snake a cable through the toilet hole to loosen a clog. To use an auger, simply start turning the crank on the end that you are holding until it stops, which means that you have reached the clog. The auger will either break down the clog or hook on to it. If it feels like you have snagged onto the clog, you should pull it out and discard the waste that comes up. Now give the toilet a few good plunges to clear up any leftover blockage and try to flush the toilet again. If the water clears the bowl then you have successfully unclogged it.

Know when you are in over your head Sometimes your efforts at unclogging a stubborn toilet are just not enough. One way to know that it may be time to call in a professional is if water is backing up into the sinks or showers whenever you flush. Water backing up into odd locations when you flush means that you have a clogged main line. A clogged main line cannot be fixed with a plunger or auger and will need to have attention from an experienced plumber.

If you follow these few tips then you should be able to defeat the embarrassing situation of clogging a toilet and unclog it like a pro.

Picking a Locksmith for Your Household or Business enterprise

Locksmiths are individuals who fix or make locks. A lock can be loosely defined as a form of machine that secures your buildings, rooms, cabinets or any objects. A essential is essential to open mentioned lock. Locksmiths are the competent technicians who put together locks or even restore them. Locksmiths play an essential function in our lives. We should be cautious even though picking a locksmith, as we will need a skilled that will be ready to securely safe our treasured items.

In scenario we are employing the locksmith for residential reasons they give us with simple solutions these kinds of as opening locked doorways or generating a duplicate of keys for a lock. They complete other tasks like resetting mixture locks, unlocking cars, opening jammed locks and getting ready safes and so on. Locksmiths also supply needed advice associated to the safety of products, locks and safes.

There are diverse sorts of locks and safes obtainable on the market place, from straightforward to complicated. Locksmiths use various varieties of tools like nail hammers, spinners, electrical drills, and key decoders. For business functions we may possibly will need specialized locksmith companies which involve far more sophisticated locks and equipments. Specialist locksmiths have to be hired to make certain that safety in the industrial facility is maintained.

As a client we should make sure that the locksmiths we utilize are licensed. This gives us a feeling of self-confidence that the locksmith is properly skilled and able. There are at times person locksmiths who declare to be masters in the subject but they are not so licensed. These people ought to be avoided, as giving them access to our houses could pose a safety chance in the future.

Today there are great deal of new locks and locks technological innovation that has been introduced in the industry for which you require to employ competent and educated experts. Locksmiths who are specialized in their solutions assure that they give suitable time and emphasis to their buyers.

A fantastic locksmith is trustworthy. He need to be ready to help you anytime you want him a property or at operate. A very good locksmith will be ready to supply a lot of references from customers, and will be registered with a trade body. They will be incredibly experienced about the type of locks in your household or organization. If you have any reservations about the locksmith you are using, then it will be prudent to substitute them with another person who is fully certified and trustworthy.

For additional info pay a visit to:

http://www.apluspluslocks.co.uk/croydonlocksmith.html

How to choose appropriate home furniture?

Home is one of the three basic necessities of every human being. It is the place where every person gets to rest after the hectic day of work. Choosing the right kind of furniture for the home is a tough task for many. Appropriately chosen furniture not only provides desired comfort but also enhances the décor of your home. So at the time of hunting for home furniture it is utmost important to check whether the furniture you are choosing would look better with your interior designing or not. Furniture manufacturers and suppliers provide a wide range of furniture to choose from.

Comfort is most important thing in furniture. If it is not providing the comfort, no matter how expensive, it’s worthless. You should have a thorough thought on whether vintage style furniture would beautify your home or modern furniture will do the justice with your interior décor. There is modular furniture also available in various standard sizes. You can setup modular kitchen furniture in your kitchen with ease. Furniture suppliers in Delhi offer modular furniture for your home.

You should also consider the space you have in your home before buying furniture. For instance, if you do not have enough space in your bedroom then it is not advisable to buy a king size bed as it will make your bedroom look congested. The same applies to other parts of your home especially the living room.

The living room is the prominent area of your home here your guests get the first impression of your home. The furniture in your living room furniture should be comfortable, stylish and match the overall feel of the room.

You should also carefully choose your furniture supplier who offers quality home as well as office furniture at affordable rates.

Review of Wet and Forget Mold Removal

Are you fed up with the moss and mildew growth in your garden and walkways and want to find solutions about moss removal on roof? Here is a great solution for this common problem. I’m happy to report that now there is a thorough and simple solution, Wet & Forget, mold & mildew cleaner extraordinaire. This solution will remove mold and moss from your home and all while not harming the exterior surfaces. This mold & mildew cleaner works on any kind of exterior surface such as roofs, concrete driveways, rock walls, and so much more.

All you have to do is spray Wet & Forget mold & mildew cleaner onto the affected area and allow it to work its magic. It is especially useful for moss removal on roof. The solution will remain while gently removing all traces of moss, mildew, and mold from an area. It also helps to prevent re-growth of these substances.

Most people try to remove mildew by scraping it off with the help of a hand tool. This process takes too much time and after a certain time period the moss is bound to reappear. But, with this particular mold & mildew cleaner you do not have to worry about moss or mold returning. Unlike any other mold & mildew cleaner available on the market this one really works. The results are surprisingly similar to what the manufacturers are promising. This is the only product that will solve all your problems related to moss removal on roof of your home.

Being non-acidic in nature, makes Wet & Forget perfect for all kinds of outdoor surfaces. Also, the use of this product is easy and convenient, especially for working people who have little time to spare on cleaning up moss. As the name of the product suggests, the only thing that you have to do is just spray this mold & mildew cleaner on the affected surface to wet it and then forget about the whole issue. This solution will work wonders when it comes to moss removal on most roof for it works on mildew infestation. Rain and wind will wash off the moss and mildew in time. Thus, moss removal on roof is now easy and hassle free without much time or effort on your part.

The most important thing about Wet & Forget is its non-caustic and non-acidic properties making it the gentlest, mold & mildew cleaner available on the market. It removes mold and mildew without causing damage to the exteriors of the home. Very few products today really deliver on all the promises made by them in advertisements. Wet & Forget is one product that delivers on every count. So, if you are facing a problem regarding moss and mildew infestation, go ahead and purchase Wet & Forget today for moss removal on roof of your home. It has been around for 30 years and no one has any complaints so far. In fact it has only received praise from everyone who has ever used it for moss removal on roof.

Fireplace and its Accessories – Always Compliment Each Other!

It’s the freezing season of the year and temperatures are going beyond zero degree Fahrenheit! Oh! And there is snow all around the city. All you might want to do is sit back at home and enjoy the warmth along with your family and friends. What can be better than sitting right in front of the fireplace and cherish all happy moments of the past. And, it’s also a time of the year when you want to improve and clean your home!

Since a fireplace is one of the most important household utilities, you need to know how to keep it clean and also the type of accessories that is required for its maintenance. In the past few years, customization services are being offered when it comes to the make and installation of a fireplace. These days you can get such utilities in antique brass, wrought iron or floral print. You have a variety of options to choose from, depending upon your home décor. They can come in classic, contemporary or decorative designs.

Talking about the accessories, there are some which you can’t do without when you have a fireplace at home. First of all, you need a wooden cradle where you can store the wood or gas rods, before setting them to burn. Cradles can also come in different colors and styles, in accordance to the design of the fireplace.

Secondly, you need to have gloves and a poker. Play safe while you light the fire. Always remember to use these two tools. They will prevent your fingers from getting burnt.

Thirdly, installing a glass screen in the fireplace enhances the image of the household and at the same time provides a certain amount of safety.

Fourthly, having a suitable brush is very important. You need to keep your fireplace clean from any dust – so you must clean it with the brush regularly.

Lastly, having a log holder is also essential. This helps you in dealing with the fireplace much aesthetically and prevents the logs from spilling out.

These five accessories are very important and must be used on a regular basis. They not only ensure luxury but also are a necessity. Many of us may think that they are purely functional, but sometimes they can be a part of home decoration as well.

And, if you are in search of the perfect accessories along with an elegant fireplace, Roswell and Canton residents can now consult the professionals from ‘Chimney Solutions’. Visit their website chimneysolutions.com and know more about their areas of expertise!

Hardwood flooring trends for 2011

An American based flooring company has predicted that 2011’s most popular types of hardwood flooring will be bold, outrageous printed designs, along with environmentally friendly wood floors.

An annual trend report has been issued by a flooring company based in the US which has predicted the top flooring and décor trends for the forthcoming year. The report was compiled taking into account the trends in fashion, as well as the industry’s technological advances. Together, these have been used to predict which types of flooring will be most popular over the course of the next year.

The company’s president, Tamar Royt said: “Predicting new trends and identifying the latest technologies is especially important for our market segment where project cycles tend to be long and durability is key.”

The report concluded that hardwood would be very popular, in particular solid wood flooring with faded edges. Another popular choice of wooden flooring was a revolutionary type of floor made from rice husk.

The report revealed that the most fashionable flooring designs are slightly more outrageous compared to previous years. The most favoured hardwood flooring design was a leopard print floor in silver and grey shades.

Tamar expressed his thoughts on the reports somewhat surprising findings: “Consumers are looking for some excitement again and there really is no better way to achieve that than adding vibrant prints and rich colours.” Consumers are also growing increasingly aware of their effect on the environment and are keen to choose hardwood flooring in natural shades that they know comes from sustainable sources.

If you are interested in hardwood flooring please visit http://easystepflooring.co.uk/

Easy Step Flooring is a privately owned company based in Heathrow specialising in solid oak wood flooring. Due to our vast national and international logistics network, we consider our huge range of wooden flooring range to be second to none. We supply flooring to the trade and retail business. We strive to work with reputable mills from around the world to ensure that our products come from sustainable sources.

Civet 'Cat' Dung Fuels Indonesia's Luxury Coffee

A Luwak is kept in a cage so that tourists can view the animal at the Abian Sari coffee plantation January 20, 2011 in Tapaksiring village, Bali, Indonesia. The Luwak coffee is known as the most expensive coffee in the world because of the way the beans are processed and the limited supply.

Indonesia’s self-proclaimed “King of Luwak”, Gunawan Supriadi, is having a hard time keeping up with demand for the beans excreted by his stable of pampered civet “cats”. And he’s not alone.Demand for coffee brewed with beans plucked from the dung of the furry, weasel-like creatures — known locally as luwaks — is surging among well-healed connoisseurs around the world, exporters say.
About 40 civets at Supriadi’s plantation in West Lampung district, Sumatra, provide the intestinal machinery for his Raja Luwak (King of Luwak) brand of bean. Lampung is the undisputed capital of luwak coffee. “My target is to have 150 civets soon because I have to meet the surge in demand,” Supriadi said.
“In 2008, I gathered about 50 kilograms of luwak beans and sold them to local distributors. In 2009, I sold 300 kilograms. In 2010, I sold 1.2 tonnes.” The “golden droppings” of the luwak, or Asian palm civet, fetch up to $800 per kilogram (two pounds) in countries like the United States, Australia, Japan, South Korea and Singapore.
It’s another story altogether at retail level. Single cups of the world’s most expensive coffee have been known to sell for almost $100 in specialty outlets in London.
The civets play two roles. Firstly, they tend to choose the best berries to digest. Experts say wild civets are the most discerning, but their droppings are also the most difficult to harvest.
Having nibbled off the thin outer layer of fruit, the civets put their digestive juices to work. The enzymes penetrate the beans — usually arabica in Sumatra — and change their chemical balance in subtle ways.
The end product, after a good wash and light roasting, lacks the bitterness of ordinary coffee and has a unique, soft flavour. “If luwak coffee is a car, then it must be a Rolls-Royce,” Supriadi said.
Exporter Doni Irawan said his sales had grown 50 percent in the past year. “It has become the prima donna of coffee due to its high price and limited supply. It keeps gaining new, dedicated fans,” he said.
The tradition of luwak coffee stretches back hundreds of years to the time of Dutch rule in Indonesia. Banned from their colonial masters’ coffee crops, indigenous farmers took to collecting, cleaning and roasting undigested beans found in the forest-dwelling animals’ droppings.
The Southeast Asian archipelago of 240 million people is now the world’s main producer of luwak coffee, but the industry has really only flourished in recent years and official export figures are hard to find. Retailers said demand was also high among status-conscious members of Indonesia’s burgeoning middle class.
In a country where around 40 percent of the population earns less than $2 a day, luwak coffee sells for about $8 a cup in up-market shopping malls. “I never used to like coffee at all, but after trying luwak coffee my world changed. I became addicted,” Jakarta resident Galang Sulung Ramanda, 24, told AFP.
“I also drink it for its health benefits. I heard that it can prevent asthma, Parkinson’s, colon cancer and diabetes,” he said. The success of luwak coffee has given birth to a plethora of fake brands, which promise that special civet experience at half the usual price.
Not to be outdone, Vietnamese entrepreneurs say they have developed a way to chemically treat regular beans to produce the same luwak taste.

More and More Indonesian Celebrities Busted for Using Drugs

Indonesian actress Iyut Bing Slamet was arrested for allegedly having 0.4 grams of methamphetamine inside West Jakarta hotel room Tuesday night. "The suspect was caught while having 0.4 grams of illegal drug," Spokesman of the National Police Senior Commissioner Boy Rafli Amar said here Wednesday.
Iyut Bing Slamet, who had been very popular among child singers in Indonesia, was caught red-handed Tuesday night. The police investigators suspected that she was just a drug user and they would have three days to question her, Boy Rafli Amar said.
However, Iyut would likely be detained to reveal identities of the drug traffickers who had sold the drug to her. he detectives had also arrested a noted drummer of "Padi" Band named Yoyok at an apartment in South Jakarta on February 27, 2011.
Boy Rafli Amar said public figures and other members of the society who had used drugs were suggested to report to the police in order that they could soon be rehabilitated. Under Law Number 35/2009 on addictive drugs, the drug users, who initiated to report their problem to the police, would not be subject to legal process, he said.
Indonesia is among the Asian countries being seriously threatened by drug smuggling syndicates. According to the National Narcotics Agency (BNN), there were 3.6 million drug users in Indonesia in 2008.
They came from various social and professional backgrounds, including artists, musicians, students, politicians, and even policemen. In protecting young Indonesians from the threat of drugs, the police keep monitoring and foiled the drug smugglers’ activities. In connection with the BNN’s efforts to combat trans-national drug dealers, its agents caught a Nigerian man for drug trafficking on January 28, 2011.
The suspect was only identified as P alias Pr. The BNN agents also detained five Indonesians in a raid on January 28, BNN’s Deputy for Combating Drugs Tomi Sagiman said recently.They were identified as RA,E, DW, AM and J, he said, adding that the suspects were allegedly involved in smuggling mathyl amphetamine.

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Thursday, March 10, 2011