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BIFA Sees 42 New Pilots Graduate

Forty-two new cadets from the Bali International Flight Academy were designated as pilots on Thursday, in a boost for efforts to fill a shortage of skilled labor in the country’s aviation industry. The 42 young and…

City Hall Vows to End Unregulated Parking

City Hall Vows to End Unregulated Parking The Jakarta administration has vowed to crack down on illegal parking in six key locations throughout the city as part of ongoing efforts to ease traffic flow on the capital’s congested streets. Deputy Governor Basuki Tjahaja…

In Aceh, Some Pigs Are More Equal

Banda Aceh. Police in Indonesia’s westernmost city have thwarted the caning of a police officer and two other people convicted by Aceh’s morality police of gambling, highlighting the double standard in enforcing Shariah law in the…

Everything but Nessie at 34th Annual Jakarta Highland Event

Everything but Nessie at 34th Annual Jakarta Highland Event The Jakarta Highland Gathering, the annual charity festival based on the traditional Highland Games, will take place on Saturday at the Center Island of Lippo Village’s Imperial Klub Golf in Karawaci, Tangerang. The 34th Highland Gathering…

Puan Maharani in Spotlight to Revive Sukarno Legacy

Puan Maharani in Spotlight to Revive Sukarno Legacy   Of Indonesia’s three biggest political parties, the Golkar Party has already named its presidential candidate for next year’s election, while the Democratic Party is set to hold a convention next month to vet possible contenders.…

Freeport Says Grasberg’s Copper Can Last Days Following Accident

Freeport Says Grasberg’s Copper Can Last Days Following Accident Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., the U.S. mining company that suffered a fatal tunnel collapse at a project in Indonesia, can supply customers for a “number of days” from stockpiles, its chief executive officer said. “Our…

99.5% of High School Students Pass National Exam: Ministry

99.5% of High School Students Pass National Exam: Ministry After receiving mounting criticism for this year’s national exams fiasco, the Education Ministry announced on Thursday that virtually all the high school students who participated in the tests managed to pass. “This year there were 1,581,286…

Gamawan Insists on Modification of New Aceh Flag

Gamawan Insists on Modification of New Aceh Flag Indonesian authorities insist that the people of Aceh are forbidden from flying the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) flag because it would violate laws against separatist movement symbols. “Maybe they can change the visuals, lose the black…

Students Honored for Heroism in Preventing Rape Attempt

Bogor. Three junior high school students in Bogor, West Java, who foiled rape attempt have been honored with scholarships and awards for their heroism. The trio, Abdulrahman Assegah, Ilham Maulana and Aziz, will get scholarships from…

Prosecutors Seek 14.5-Year Sentence for Cop Suspected of Killing Soldier

Prosecutors Seek 14.5-Year Sentence for Cop Suspected of Killing Soldier Prosecutors demanded 14.5 years in prison for a traffic police officer who allegedly murdered a soldier in South Sumatra — an incident which triggered a bloody clash that injured six people. Prosecutor Abdullah Syahri told the…

Indonesia Looks to South Korea for Farmers’ Market Inspiration

Indonesia Looks to South Korea for Farmers’ Market Inspiration A delegation of the National Economic Commission (KEN) departed for Seoul on Thursday as part of its preparation to establish farmers’ markets in Indonesia, the commission said. Led by KEN chairman Chairul Tanjung, the delegation will…

Depreciating Rupiah a Boost For Manulife

A depreciating rupiah may be hampering businesses relying heavily on imports, but it is proving a boon for at least one fund management house. Manulife Aset Manajemen Indonesia says its US-dollar fund is attracting great interest…

Indofood and Multistrada Scouting for Plants in Kazakhstan, Official Says

Indofood and Multistrada Scouting for Plants in Kazakhstan, Official Says Astana, Kazakhstan. Indonesian companies including Indofood Sukses Makmur and Multistrada Arah Sarana are considering investing in Kazakhstan as an entry point to the Central Asian market, an Indonesian government official says. Rizal Affandi Lukman, deputy minister…

Mandala’s Goals Are Sky High

Mandala’s Goals Are Sky High Previously bankrupt low-cost carrier Mandala Airlines is aiming to carry 7 million passengers a year by 2015, following an increase in the number of planes it operates and routes it services, its leader said on Thursday.…

Property Firm to Sell Rp 1.2t in Bonds for Expansion

Agung Podomoro Land, one of Indonesia’s largest property firms, plans to raise Rp 1.2 trillion ($123 million) from selling a five-year bond next month, using the proceeds to refinance debt and fund land acquisition. The Jakarta-based…

Protelindo Secures $526 Million to Refinance Loans

Telecommunications tower company Sarana Menara Nusantara announced on Wednesday that its subsidiary Profesional Telekomunikasi Indonesia has secured loans to refinance its maturing debt. “On May 20, Protelindo and its subsidiary, Protelindo Finance BV, signed a $475…

Astra Sedaya to Raise Rp 3t Via Bonds to Finance New Motorbike Purchases

Astra Sedaya Finance, a financing unit of Astra International, Indonesia’s biggest automotive distributor, plans to sell Rp 3 trillion ($306 million) in bonds next month to finance its business. The company expects to offer the notes…

MNC Sell-Off Leads Jakarta’s Decline

Indonesia’s benchmark stock index fell on Thursday, in line with the fall in regional market, as worries over the future of US monetary stimulus and weak Chinese data dented global sentiment. The Jakarta Composite Index fell…

Asahimas Chemical to Spend $400m on Plant Expansion

Asahimas Chemical, a joint venture between Japan’s Asahi Glass company and Indonesia’s Rodamas Group, plans to invest up to $400 million to expand its petrochemical facility in Cilegon, Banten. Eddy Sutanto, a director of Asahimas Chemical,…

Indonesia’s Power Subsidy Spending Up 23% in Revised Budget Draft

Indonesia’s Power Subsidy Spending Up 23% in Revised Budget Draft The government has proposed a 23.5 percent increase in subsidy spending for electricity to Rp 99.97 trillion ($10.2 billion) in the draft revision of the 2013 state budget, which is pending approval from lawmakers. The increase…

Retailers Eye Indonesia as Next Big Market

Retailers Eye Indonesia as Next Big Market With its stable economic growth, young population and growing middle class, producers of consumer goods are now eyeing Indonesia as the next big emerging market, experts said in Jakarta on Thursday. Vijay Vishwanath, global head of…

Indonesia’s Diesel Demand Expected to Remain Weak Until End 2013

Indonesia’s Diesel Demand Expected to Remain Weak Until End 2013 Singapore. Indonesia’s diesel demand is expected to remain weak at least until the end of the year as a slowing economy, contraction in the mining sector and a shift towards cheaper alternatives curb use of the…

Death Toll in China Blast Rises to 33: Xinhua

Death Toll in China Blast Rises to 33: Xinhua Beijing. The death toll from a blast at an explosives plant in eastern China earlier this week rose to 33 on Thursday as 20 missing people were declared dead, state media reported. Officials had said on…

German Brewers Warn Fracking Could Hurt Beer Industry

German Brewers Warn Fracking Could Hurt Beer Industry Berlin. German brewers have warned Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government that any law allowing the controversial drilling technique known as fracking could damage the country’s cherished beer industry. The Brauer-Bund beer association is worried that fracking for…

Chechen Killed by FBI in Boston Probe ‘Not Violent’: Father

Chechen Killed by FBI in Boston Probe ‘Not Violent’: Father Moscow. A Chechen man shot dead by the FBI during questioning on his links to the Boston bombers was not violent, his father said in an interview broadcast on Thursday, speaking from his home town of…

Philippine Capital Angered by ‘Da Vinci Code’ Author

Philippine Capital Angered by ‘Da Vinci Code’ Author Manila. Philippine authorities on Thursday reacted angrily over “Da Vinci Code” author Dan Brown’s portrayal of Manila as “the gates of hell” in his latest novel. The book “Inferno” includes a character who describes the capital…

Dutch Trader Arrested for ‘Horsemeat Fraud’

Dutch meat wholesaler Willy Selten was arrested on Thursday for allegedly selling 300 tons of horsemeat labelled as beef, the public prosecutor said. The prosecutor’s office said that Dutch food safety authority NVWA arrested the man,…

Islamists Kill 20 in Suicide Attacks in Niger

Islamists Kill 20 in Suicide Attacks in Niger Niamey. Islamist suicide bombers struck a barracks and a French-run uranium mine in Niger on Thursday, officials said, killing 20 people and wounding dozens in attacks that showed armed unrest spreading across West Africa. In Agadez,…

Pussy Riot Member Refused Parole by Russian Court

Pussy Riot Member Refused Parole by Russian Court A Russian court refused on Thursday to grant parole to a member of Pussy Riot serving a two-year prison sentence for protesting in Moscow’s main cathedral with a “punk prayer” against President Vladimir Putin. The judge…

Outrage Grows Over Scandal-Tainted Malaysia State Boss

Outrage Grows Over Scandal-Tainted Malaysia State Boss Kuching. Despite earning a civil servant’s salary for three decades, Taib Mahmud, the powerful chief minister of Malaysia’s Sarawak state, is reputed by critics to be one of Asia’s richest men. Taib, 77, and his family…

Myanmar’s ‘Goldrush’ Luring Foreigners in Droves

Myanmar’s ‘Goldrush’ Luring Foreigners in Droves Yangon. From seasoned investors to recent graduates armed with little more than hastily-made business cards and dreams of striking it rich, foreigners are pouring into Myanmar to stake a claim as it opens up. It is…

Cameron Calls Terror Killing ‘Betrayal of Islam’ as Probe Widens

Cameron Calls Terror Killing ‘Betrayal of Islam’ as Probe Widens Prime Minister David Cameron said the killing of a soldier in London by two men wielding knives and meat cleavers was a “betrayal of Islam” as the police probe into the murder widened to eastern England.…

Saudi Arabia Confirms Another Death From SARS-Like Virus

Saudi Arabia Confirms Another Death From SARS-Like Virus Dubai. Saudi Arabia has announced another death from the SARS-like novel coronavirus (nCoV) in its central al-Qassim region, bringing the total number of deaths in the kingdom to 17. A non-Saudi, whose nationality and age…

German Brewers Warn Fracking Could Hurt Beer Industry

German Brewers Warn Fracking Could Hurt Beer Industry Berlin. German brewers have warned Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government that any law allowing the controversial drilling technique known as fracking could damage the country’s cherished beer industry. The Brauer-Bund beer association is worried that fracking for…

Philippine Capital Angered by ‘Da Vinci Code’ Author

Philippine Capital Angered by ‘Da Vinci Code’ Author Manila. Philippine authorities on Thursday reacted angrily over “Da Vinci Code” author Dan Brown’s portrayal of Manila as “the gates of hell” in his latest novel. The book “Inferno” includes a character who describes the capital…

Traditional Techniques and Old Hands Make Winning Wines Worldwide

Traditional Techniques and Old Hands Make Winning Wines Worldwide Two fine wines from Chile and New Zealand, though made from different grape varieties in different parts of the world, reflect the profound influence of wine-making philosophy and history. Lapostolle Winery in Chile, founded in 1994,…

Neonomora Blends Electronica and Folk Rock for All

Neonomora Blends Electronica and Folk Rock for All Newcomer Neonomora hasn’t been on the Indonesian music scene for long, but the 25-year old is quickly making her mark. Trend-aware publications such as Nylon and Hai magazine have dubbed her everything from “The Chosen Act,”…

Myanmar’s ‘Goldrush’ Luring Foreigners in Droves

Myanmar’s ‘Goldrush’ Luring Foreigners in Droves Yangon. From seasoned investors to recent graduates armed with little more than hastily-made business cards and dreams of striking it rich, foreigners are pouring into Myanmar to stake a claim as it opens up. It is…

In film, Audiences and Talent Shift From Cinema to TV

In film, Audiences and Talent Shift From Cinema to TV Cannes. Cinema audiences are migrating to television, followed by Hollywood writers, actors and directors, who look to the small screen as a place for greater artistic freedom and easier financing, say industry figures at the Cannes…

The George in New Zealand Gets Its Edge From Little Details

The George in New Zealand Gets Its Edge From Little Details It is often dubbed New Zealand’s “garden city” due to its large parks and recreational areas, but in recent years, Christchurch is remembered for more gloomy reasons: it was shattered by major earthquakes in September 2010…

French Singer Georges Moustaki Dies at 79

French Singer Georges Moustaki Dies at 79 Paris. French singer and composer Georges Moustaki, whose romantic ballads including the 1958 hit “Milord” won him global fame, died on Thursday at the age of 79, his entourage said. Born on May 3, 1934 to…

‘Gatsby’ Adaptation Is Not So Great

‘Gatsby’ Adaptation Is Not So Great Unless the romantic woes of the very privileged few hold a particular interest for you, the latest cinematic adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” may not interest you too much. Largely ignored are much…

Nerves of Steel and Hairspray Are Musts for Cannes Red Carpet

Nerves of Steel and Hairspray Are Musts for Cannes Red Carpet Walking the red carpet of the world’s most famous film showcase is a test of nerves for celebrities, not helped by wind, rain and the chaos of hundreds of photographers shouting their names. From choosing the…

New Dating Website Plays Cupid for Indonesians

New Dating Website Plays Cupid for Indonesians To some people, dating comes as naturally as breathing. They have no trouble making new acquaintances, playing the field and flirting with potential partners before deciding if that person is worth having a serious relationship with.…

European Football Body UEFA Introduces Minimum 10-Game Racism Ban

Football players found guilty of discriminatory behavior in European club competitions face a minimum 10-game ban, regional governing body UEFA said today as it moved to toughen penalties following several cases of racism. The sanctions come…

Indonesian Youngsters Steal the Show at Beach Volleyball Championship

Indonesian Youngsters Steal the Show at Beach Volleyball Championship Indonesian youngsters Mohammad Ashiya and Rendy Licardo lifted the AVC Beach Volleyball U-21 Championships trophy after ousting Kazakhstan 2-1 in the final round over the weekend. Indonesia won the first round 21-16, but the Kazakh duo…

China Knocks Indonesia Out of Sudirman Cup

China Knocks Indonesia Out of Sudirman Cup China smashed Indonesia’s dream to clinch the Sudirman Cup semi-final after posting a 3-2 win in the quarter-final on Thursday. Playing at Putra Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, mixed doubles team Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir earned Indonesia’s…

MVP LeBron James Delivers Winner as Heat Beats Pacers

MVP LeBron James Delivers Winner as Heat Beats Pacers Miami. LeBron James drove for a game-winning layup as time expired to give the Miami Heat a thrilling 103-102 overtime win over the Indiana Pacers Wednesday in game one of the NBA Eastern Conference finals. James,…

Champions League: Tradition Meets Modernism in German Showdown

Champions League: Tradition Meets Modernism in German Showdown Berlin. The all-German Champions League final on Saturday pits traditional powerhouses Bayern Munich against modernists Borussia Dortmund at London’s Wembley Stadium (1845 GMT) with more at stake than Europe’s premier club trophy. Bayern, four-times European champions,…

PSSI Cancels U-19 Training in Timika

PSSI Cancels U-19 Training in Timika The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) decided against sending its under-19 national team to Timika, Papua, for intensive training following the recent tunnel collapse at Freeport-McRoran’s Grasberg mine last week. The training was scheduled to be held…

Anchoring Putters Banned from 2016

Anchoring Putters Banned from 2016   Golf’s ruling bodies on Tuesday announced that anchoring putters will be banned from the start of 2016. The anchored putting stroke has been in the spotlight since being used by a clutch of players to…

China to Face Indonesia Again in Quarters

China to Face Indonesia Again in Quarters Luck was not on Indonesia’s side on Tuesday as hours after suffering a crushing 5-0 defeat to China, they were drawn to meet the eight-time Sudirman Cup champions again, this time in the quarter-finals. Germany, who…

Buriram, FC Seoul into Asian Quarter-finals

Buriram, FC Seoul into Asian Quarter-finals Thai qualifiers Buriram United held off Uzbek giants Bunyodkor to reach the AFC Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday as FC Seoul beat nine-man Beijing Guoan 3-1. Buriram weathered waves of attack in Tashkent for a 0-0…

PSSI Boss Begs Football Fans to Behave

PSSI Boss Begs Football Fans to Behave The Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) is begging fans to behave during international matches after it was slapped with thousands in fines for crowds’ rowdy conduct, PSSI chief Djohar Arifin Husin told reporters on Tuesday. The statement…

China Teaches Indonesia a Lesson at Sudirman Cup

China Teaches Indonesia a Lesson at Sudirman Cup   Indonesia’s Sudirman Cup badminton side was given a wake-up call on Tuesday, with a 5-0 loss to China in the battle to head Group A indicating the team has a long way to climb if…

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