Search on for survivors of Indonesia volcano eruption

Search on for survivors of Indonesia volcano eruption

 

Karo (Indonesia) (AFP)

 

Indonesian rescuers will search through thick ash Sunday hoping to find survivors after Mount Sinabung volcano erupted engulfing victims in scorching clouds, killing 14 people including four high-school students.

 

The volcano on the western island of Sumatra started erupting in September but on Saturday spewed hot rocks and ash 2,000 metres (16,00 feet) into the air, blanketing the surrounding countryside with grey dust.

 

About 100 rescuers, including from the military and police, armed with chainsaws and oxygen apparatus will carry out the difficult search through up to 30-centimetre thick ash in Sukameriah village -- just 2.7 kilometres (1.7 miles) from the volcano's crater, disaster and local officials said.

 

"We don't know how many people are missing but rescuers today will resume evacuation and look for anyone still trapped," National Disaster Management Agency official Tri Budiarto told AFP.

 

"They will be wearing facemasks and use chainsaws to cut any fallen branches along the way," he added.

 

Weather conditions may also affect search operations, officials warned.

 

"It's cloudy today so we worry that it might rain," Karo district spokesman Robert Peranginangin.

 

"If it rains, the area will be muddy and hard to walk, so we will have to stop search and rescue," he added.

 

Lethal heat clouds cascaded down the volcano after Saturday's deadly eruption, killing 14 people -- mainly local tourists -- including four high school students on a sightseeing trip.

 

Three other people are being treated for serious burns at a local hospital.

 

Officials are also putting up more signs to warn people not to enter the area, officials said.

 

Sukameriah village is located in the "red zone" around the volcano, where human activities are strictly banned, Budiarto said.

 

"It's very dangerous and completely out of bounds. But many of the tourists still secretly went to the area to take photographs," he added.

 

Mount Sinabung is one of 129 active volcanoes in Indonesia that straddle major tectonic fault lines, known as the Pacific Ring of Fire.

 

The country's most active volcano, Mount Merapi in central Java, killed more than 350 people in a series of eruptions in 2010.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 2 Sunday February 2014 The Roman)

 

Animal feed business to grow 12 % in 2014

Animal feed business to grow 12 % in 2014

 

The animal feed business is expected to grow by 10-12 percent this year on the back of increasing demand for chicken, according to a national association.

 

They said large election-related gatherings this year would contribute to heightened demand for chicken dishes — one of the most common sources of protein for Indonesians.

 

Desianto Budi Utomo, secretary general for the Indonesia Animal Feed Producers Association (GPMTI), said the group projected the animal feed business to grow 10-12 percent this year, compared to 9 percent last year.

 

“There will be more food orders to caterers, and chances are there will be meat on the menu. This will surely boost poultry demand, and positively impact animal feed enterprises as well,” Desianto said over the weekend.

 

He added that the continued growth of the nation’s economy and middle class would also contribute to the growth of animal feed industry.

 

“The country is estimated to maintain growth above 5 percent this year, and that is actually quite good because it ensures that Indonesians’ purchasing power will remain strong and keep them consuming meat products,” he said.

 

According to him, the country would see its animal feed production rising to 15.5 million tons this year.

 

Last year, the country produced about 14.8 million tons of animal feed.

 

Desianto, who is also the deputy director of the country’s biggest animal feed producer, PT Charoen Pokphand, said his company was set to see its revenue grow by about 12 to 15 percent this year.

 

He added that his company was looking to build 8 new processing facilities in 2014 and 2015.

 

The publicly listed Thailand-based firm now operates seven feed mills.

 

The company has yet to publish its 2013 annual results, but previous reports said that it was upbeat it had reached its 15 percent growth target for 2013, equal to Rp 24.51 trillion (US$2 billion) in revenue.

 

A recent report published by investment consultant Investa Sarana Mandiri advises investors to keep an eye on stocks of publicly listed animal feed companies.

 

Historically, meat consumption — especially chicken — increases significantly during an election year.

 

Usually, 70 percent of the country’s gross domestic product [GDP] goes toward consumption during a political year, with 50 percent of that being for food,” said Kiswoyo Adi Joe, an analyst with the firm.

 

“Here is where we almost always find chicken in the main course.”

 

(JP/Anggi M. Lubis)

 

(The Jakarta Post, 4 Tuesday February 2014 The Roman)

 

Search on for survivors of Indonesia volcano eruption

Search on for survivors of Indonesia volcano eruption

 

Karo (Indonesia) (AFP)

 

Indonesian rescuers will search through thick ash Sunday hoping to find survivors after Mount Sinabung volcano erupted engulfing victims in scorching clouds, killing 14 people including four high-school students.

 

The volcano on the western island of Sumatra started erupting in September but on Saturday spewed hot rocks and ash 2,000 metres (16,00 feet) into the air, blanketing the surrounding countryside with grey dust.

 

About 100 rescuers, including from the military and police, armed with chainsaws and oxygen apparatus will carry out the difficult search through up to 30-centimetre thick ash in Sukameriah village -- just 2.7 kilometres (1.7 miles) from the volcano's crater, disaster and local officials said.

 

"We don't know how many people are missing but rescuers today will resume evacuation and look for anyone still trapped," National Disaster Management Agency official Tri Budiarto told AFP.

 

"They will be wearing facemasks and use chainsaws to cut any fallen branches along the way," he added.

 

Weather conditions may also affect search operations, officials warned.

 

"It's cloudy today so we worry that it might rain," Karo district spokesman Robert Peranginangin.

 

"If it rains, the area will be muddy and hard to walk, so we will have to stop search and rescue," he added.

 

Lethal heat clouds cascaded down the volcano after Saturday's deadly eruption, killing 14 people -- mainly local tourists -- including four high school students on a sightseeing trip.

 

Three other people are being treated for serious burns at a local hospital.

 

Officials are also putting up more signs to warn people not to enter the area, officials said.

 

Sukameriah village is located in the "red zone" around the volcano, where human activities are strictly banned, Budiarto said.

 

"It's very dangerous and completely out of bounds. But many of the tourists still secretly went to the area to take photographs," he added.

 

Mount Sinabung is one of 129 active volcanoes in Indonesia that straddle major tectonic fault lines, known as the Pacific Ring of Fire.

 

The country's most active volcano, Mount Merapi in central Java, killed more than 350 people in a series of eruptions in 2010.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 2 Sunday February 2014 The Roman)

 

VietJetAir to finalise $ 6.1 bn Airbus order

VietJetAir to finalise $ 6.1 bn Airbus order

 

Hanoi (AFP)

 

Communist Vietnam's first private airline, VietJetAir, said Wednesday that it was close to finalising a $ 6.1 billion order for 62 Airbus aircraft.

 

The deal is expected to be signed at the Singapore Airshow next month, VietJetAir's managing director Luu Duc Khanh told AFP.

 

VietJetAir and Airbus signed a letter of intent in September for the purchase of 62 A320 medium-haul aircraft worth US$ 6.1 billion at catalogue prices, and for options for another 30.

 

The low-cost carrier began operating in late 2011 and is the first private airline in Vietnam to offer domestic and international flights.

 

It currently serves 11 cities in Vietnam plus Bangkok.

 

Last year, the carrier took delivery of a ninth leased A320.

 

The letter of intent was for 14 of the current single-aisle A320 model and 42 of the new A320Neo due to enter into service in 2015, which promises airlines considerably better fuel efficiency.

 

Another six planes will be the longer A321 version, which can be configured with up to 220 seats.

 

While VietJetAir has a good foothold in the Vietnamese market, analysts say it is facing stiff competition in the low-cost segment in Southeast Asia, behind Malaysia's Air Asia, Lion Air of Indonesia, Singapore's Tiger Airways and Jetstar of Australia.

 

(Agence France-Presse, 28 Tuesday January 2014 The Roman)

 

Miss Philippines couronnée Miss Monde, Miss France 2e Miss Philippines crowned Miss World, Miss France second

Miss Philippines couronnée Miss Monde, Miss France 2e

 

Miss Philippines, Megan Young, vient d'être couronnée Miss Monde 2013 au cours d'une cérémonie sur l'île indonésienne de Bali placée sous haute protection en raison de l'opposition d'islamistes.

 

Marine Lorphelin, la Miss France, est arrivée 1ère dauphine, suivie de Miss Ghana, élue 2e dauphine.

 

Au total 129 Miss concouraient, mais deux avaient déclaré forfait.

 

Megan Young, qui est née aux Etats-Unis, a quitté ce pays à l'âge de 10 ans.

 

Étudiante en cinéma, elle a fait quelques apparitions à l'écran.

 

Son rêve est de passer derrière la caméra et de devenir réalisatrice.

 

Elle se décrit elle-même comme "une personne ambitieuse" qui adore lire les livres d'Harry Potter et les jeux vidéo, selon le site Internet des Miss Monde.

 

Ne reniant pas la tradition des Miss, la lauréate s'est effondrée en larmes en recevant la couronne.

 

"Vous savez, j'ai toujours dit que je resterai moi-même mais, en tant que Miss Monde, c'est de la folie de m'entendre dire ça", a-t-elle déclaré peu après avoir été désignée, sans pouvoir finir sa phrase.

 

(Le Figaro, 28 samedi septembre 2013 le Roman)

 

 

Miss Philippines crowned Miss World, Miss France second

 

Miss Philippines, Megan Young, has been crowned Miss World 2013 at a ceremony on the Indonesian island of Bali under high protection because of the opposition of Islamists.

 

Marine Lorphelin the Miss France, came 1st runner, followed by Miss Ghana, elected second runner.

 

In total 129 Miss competed, but both had forfeited.

 

Megan Young, who was born in the United States, has left the country at the age of 10 years.

 

Film student, she made a few appearances on screen.

 

Her dream is to get behind the camera and become a director.

 

She describes herself as "an ambitious person " who loves to read Harry Potter books and video games, according to the website of Miss World.

 

Not denying the tradition of Miss, the winner collapsed in tears on receiving the crown.

 

" You know, I 've always said that I remain myself but as Miss World, this is crazy to hear me say that," she said shortly after being appointed without could finish her phrase.

 

(Le Figaro, 28 Saturday September 2013 The Roman)

(Translated: R.S.F. tohiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 30 Monday September 2013 The Roman)

 

 

 

TPP, Discussion chief meeting started, to conclude later this year

TPP, Discussion chief meeting started, to conclude later this year

 

ＴＰＰ、年内妥結へ論点整理　首席会合が開幕

 

環太平洋連携協定（ＴＰＰ）交渉に参加する日本や米国などは９月１８日から、米ワシントンで首席交渉官会合を開催。

 

交渉の年内妥結に向け、難航する分野を中心に、協議を前進させるための論点の整理に取り組む。

 

会合は２１日までの予定。

 

日本からは鶴岡公二首席交渉官が出席。

 

ワシントンでは２０～２３日に関税撤廃をめぐる分野別協議も実施。

 

これと並行し、日米が２国間の関税交渉をする方向で調整している。

 

ＴＰＰ交渉に参加する１２カ国はインドネシア・バリ島で１０月に開く首脳会合での大筋合意と、年内妥結を目指している。

 

（共同通信）

 

（琉球新報、2013年9月19日）

 

 

TPP, the chief meeting started, to conclude later this year

 

From 18 September, the United States and Japan, 12 countries, to participate in Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement negotiations held the chief meeting in Washington.

 

Mainly in areas towards the end of the year conclusion of the negotiations, the difficulties, to address the issue of organizing to advance the talks.

 

Meeting scheduled for up to 21 September.

 

Koji Tsuruoka chief negotiators attended from Japan.

 

Sectoral consultation over the tariff elimination also conducted 20 September to 23 September in Washington.

 

In parallel with this, it is adjusted in the direction of the United States and Japan to the tariff negotiations between the two countries.

 

12 countries to participate in the TPP negotiations aims and broad agreement on the summit meeting that opens in October in Bali, Indonesia, the agreement will be later this year.

 

(Kyodo News)

 

(Ryukyu Shimpo, 19 Thursday September 2013 The Roman)

(Translated: R.S.F. toshiki speed news press, Agence France-Presse, 19 Thursday September 2013 The Roman)