The brooch is one of commonly used decorations by the women in modern society, texture silver or platinum set with diamonds and other precious stones, skirts respectively, it can highlight their beautiful body or status. Brooch is also known as corsage, and it is using hooks to clothes, jewelry, brooch can also be recognized as a decorative pin. Generally speaking, metal texture is embedded precious stones and enamel. It can be used as purely decorative or a combination of fixed clothes (such as robes, ponchos, scarves, etc.) function. Brooch, it was also called the "pin" is a jewelry worn on the chest or collar. Brooch type system is the various customs taste and fashion elements into one.
Your custom Flower Brooch can be any color, or combination of colors. Just tell me what your wedding colors are and we will begin dreaming up your creation. Something fun about this Flower Brooch is that you can stray from your wedding color palette and carry whatever you want. We can figure out the perfect flower brooch colors for you. The possibilities are endless. Ever since my Flower Brooch made it into the news and all over wedding blogs, there are quite a few other shops popping up that make their version of my bouquets.
You can even send me a piece of Flower Brooch that is important to you, and I can place it front & center on the stem of the bouquet. You can also collect jewelry from your family and friends, and send it to me to have a truly personalized bouquet made. We can negotiate a much lower price if you supply the materials!
Monday, July 15, 2013
Friday, July 5, 2013
Egypt pyramid vendors grow violent, embassy says
CAIRO – Vendors at Egypt's pyramids who are desperate to make money in a deepening economic crisis are using aggressive and even violent means to get tourists to give them some business, frequenters of the tourist spot say.
The U.S. Embassy issued a warning about increasing incidents at or near the famous pyramids at Giza about a dozen miles from downtown Cairo. Most of the incidents are due to overly aggressive vendors who in some cases come close to criminal conduct, the embassy says.
"U.S. citizens should elevate their situational awareness when traveling to the pyramids, avoid any late evening or night travel, utilize a recommended or trusted guide, and closely guard valuables," according to a security message on the embassy's website last week.
Visitors going toward the ancient complex, roughly an hour's drive in traffic from central Cairo, are encountering Egyptians who work in the tourism sector and surround and pound on tourists' taxis and cars in what the embassy says may be an effort to pressure visitors to ride in their horse-drawn carriages.
In some cases, angry vendors have tried to open vehicles' doors, frightening visitors, the embassy said.
Egypt's minister of antiquities, Ahmed Eissa, insisted the Giza pyramid complex is safe. He said neither his office nor the tourism police have received complaints, according to newspaper reports.
Others who have traveled to the area say the problems are real.
"It's a new level of frightening," said Graham Harman, associate provost for research administration and professor of philosophy at the American University in Cairo.
Vendors began the practice of banging on cars pulling up to the pyramids within the first six months after Egypt's revolution in 2011. Once tourists enter the complex gates the harassment continues.
Vendors selling camel rides, horse jaunts or souvenirs pressure visitors to make overpriced purchases, and others aggressively demand money for nothing.
Harman, who is originally from Iowa but has lived in Egypt for 13 years, visits the pyramids frequently by taxi and says he wouldn't advise anyone to go without an organized tour based on an experience he had in March in which his wife was harassed and police asked for money.
"This was something new," he said. "People were much more aggressive."
The United States isn't the only country to issue warnings. The United Kingdom's Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all but essential travel to the south Sinai, with the exception of popular Red Sea vacation spots and specific routes, while the north Sinai is listed as off-limits.
Egypt's revolution and election of an Islamist government after decades of military dictatorship has not led to improvements in the economy. Unemployment remains high and income low.
Visitors to Giza can see the depth of financial despair evident among those who work in the tourism industry, a main source of income for many Egyptians. Many vendors seem starved for travelers. Stable owners who offer horseback rides through the sprawling desert have fed their horses hay that was bought on loan while others over the past two years have been forced to sell their animals.
Tourism is diminished across the country.
Ayman Hussein works for a travel agency in Aswan, a city in Upper Egypt not far from Sudan that is near a set of magnificent temples. He said tourism has dropped by more than half since the days before the nation's uprising.
"Please tell the people: Come to Upper Egypt," Hussein said.
Making matters worse, prices of electricity and basic foods have been rising.
"It's very hard," Hussein said, but he brushed off news that there may be dangers hundreds of miles away at the Giza pyramids.
"We love the tourists," he said. "Don't worry about this."
The U.S. Embassy issued a warning about increasing incidents at or near the famous pyramids at Giza about a dozen miles from downtown Cairo. Most of the incidents are due to overly aggressive vendors who in some cases come close to criminal conduct, the embassy says.
"U.S. citizens should elevate their situational awareness when traveling to the pyramids, avoid any late evening or night travel, utilize a recommended or trusted guide, and closely guard valuables," according to a security message on the embassy's website last week.
Visitors going toward the ancient complex, roughly an hour's drive in traffic from central Cairo, are encountering Egyptians who work in the tourism sector and surround and pound on tourists' taxis and cars in what the embassy says may be an effort to pressure visitors to ride in their horse-drawn carriages.
In some cases, angry vendors have tried to open vehicles' doors, frightening visitors, the embassy said.
Egypt's minister of antiquities, Ahmed Eissa, insisted the Giza pyramid complex is safe. He said neither his office nor the tourism police have received complaints, according to newspaper reports.
Others who have traveled to the area say the problems are real.
"It's a new level of frightening," said Graham Harman, associate provost for research administration and professor of philosophy at the American University in Cairo.
Vendors began the practice of banging on cars pulling up to the pyramids within the first six months after Egypt's revolution in 2011. Once tourists enter the complex gates the harassment continues.
Vendors selling camel rides, horse jaunts or souvenirs pressure visitors to make overpriced purchases, and others aggressively demand money for nothing.
Harman, who is originally from Iowa but has lived in Egypt for 13 years, visits the pyramids frequently by taxi and says he wouldn't advise anyone to go without an organized tour based on an experience he had in March in which his wife was harassed and police asked for money.
"This was something new," he said. "People were much more aggressive."
The United States isn't the only country to issue warnings. The United Kingdom's Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all but essential travel to the south Sinai, with the exception of popular Red Sea vacation spots and specific routes, while the north Sinai is listed as off-limits.
Egypt's revolution and election of an Islamist government after decades of military dictatorship has not led to improvements in the economy. Unemployment remains high and income low.
Visitors to Giza can see the depth of financial despair evident among those who work in the tourism industry, a main source of income for many Egyptians. Many vendors seem starved for travelers. Stable owners who offer horseback rides through the sprawling desert have fed their horses hay that was bought on loan while others over the past two years have been forced to sell their animals.
Tourism is diminished across the country.
Ayman Hussein works for a travel agency in Aswan, a city in Upper Egypt not far from Sudan that is near a set of magnificent temples. He said tourism has dropped by more than half since the days before the nation's uprising.
"Please tell the people: Come to Upper Egypt," Hussein said.
Making matters worse, prices of electricity and basic foods have been rising.
"It's very hard," Hussein said, but he brushed off news that there may be dangers hundreds of miles away at the Giza pyramids.
"We love the tourists," he said. "Don't worry about this."
What is the difference between a Harmony Ball and a Dream Ball?
Is the difference significant enough to have two different names for very similar items of jewellery?
Firstly let’s examine what a Harmony Ball is. The Harmony Ball is a common piece of jewellery in both Balinese and Mayan (Mexican) cultures, in Mexican culture it is call a Bola. The Harmony Ball also has origins in Celtic culture where it was known as a Druid Ball.
In each case, whether called a Harmony Ball, a Bola or Druid Ball the similarities are that it is seen to be a piece of jewellery, it includes a chiming ball and in most cases has cultural, regional and family heritage significance. A Harmony Ball Pendant generally consists of an outer “cage” and the chime ball contained within. Some cages are hinged, allowing for the changing or replacement of the chime ball, whilst others are fixed (soldered) after the chime ball is inserted. Harmony Balls can be made from a number of metals with sterling silver being the predominant metal of choice for its value, lustre and strength.
Theses Harmony Balls are made primarily by village or regional silversmiths or jewellers invariably using traditional methods and adding in some “local” originality.
The Chime ball itself is generally made from brass and the chime is achieved by a series of differing sizes “tongues” of brass fixed on the inside of the ball with a smaller ball inside. With movement the smaller ball rolls around running over the different length tongues and against the inside wall of the larger brass ball, like a bell, creating a variation of sounds that result in a chime with most chimes being unique to each individual Harmony Ball.
Aside from the very high skill level required by a silversmith to create such wonderful sterling silver outer cages or skins, much of the skill is also in the design and making of the inner parts of the chime ball – the higher the skill of the silversmith the better the sound of the Harmony Ball. Silversmiths will often experiment with thicknesses of materials and indeed different materials in an effort to create different chime sounds.
The outer cages of Harmony Balls can vary significantly – some are made using flattened sheets of sterling silver intricately cut to create many different patterns, some are made using a thin sterling silver wire which is twisted, entwined and formed to create intricate wire cages. Some Harmony Ball outer cages are actually solid sterling silver skins whilst some are brass skins plated with sterling silver – in some cases highly polished and in others engraved with varying ornate impressions.
The Harmony Ball pendant is worn mainly as a necklace whilst they can also be worn as earrings or attached to a bracelet. Harmony Ball Pendants are often worn on a long necklace cord by women when pregnant so that the Harmony Ball rest over the bump with the chime sound relaxing the baby in the womb.
So if that is a Harmony Ball then what is a Dream Ball and how does it differ?
A Dream Ball is exactly what is described above as a Harmony Ball with the following differences. The Dream Ball has a cylindrical stem at the top of the pendant where on a Harmony Ball the ring would be for attaching a necklace bale. The length of the stem can vary greatly from one style of Dream Ball to another as can the diameter, suffice to say an average length is about 15mm (a bit over ?”) and diameter about 4-5mm (5/32”). The end of the stem is fitted with a Gemstone which acts as a plug. The stem was usually used to contain the “dream/s” of the wearer. The wearer would generally write down their dream on a small piece of paper or parchment and roll it tightly and put it inside the “tube” of the stem then tap the Gemstone in the opening of the stem creating a force fit hence sealing the dream inside the Dream Harmony Ball pendant.
The wearer would always be carrying their dream and in some cases share that dream with family by handing down the dream ball pendant to a son or daughter.
So the Dream “Harmony” Ball is different in some respects however in most cases is simply called a Harmony Ball. The Dream Ball by virtue of its design is often more ornate than a Harmony Ball and of course includes a Gemstone so is generally more valuable than a Harmony Ball.
An extensive range of quality Sterling Silver Harmony Balls and Dream Balls at very affordable prices can be found at HarmonyBallPendant.com
About the Author: Mike OShannessy is an authority in Balinese Harmony Balls and Dream Balls and writes for a number of jewellery online sites.
Firstly let’s examine what a Harmony Ball is. The Harmony Ball is a common piece of jewellery in both Balinese and Mayan (Mexican) cultures, in Mexican culture it is call a Bola. The Harmony Ball also has origins in Celtic culture where it was known as a Druid Ball.
In each case, whether called a Harmony Ball, a Bola or Druid Ball the similarities are that it is seen to be a piece of jewellery, it includes a chiming ball and in most cases has cultural, regional and family heritage significance. A Harmony Ball Pendant generally consists of an outer “cage” and the chime ball contained within. Some cages are hinged, allowing for the changing or replacement of the chime ball, whilst others are fixed (soldered) after the chime ball is inserted. Harmony Balls can be made from a number of metals with sterling silver being the predominant metal of choice for its value, lustre and strength.
Theses Harmony Balls are made primarily by village or regional silversmiths or jewellers invariably using traditional methods and adding in some “local” originality.
The Chime ball itself is generally made from brass and the chime is achieved by a series of differing sizes “tongues” of brass fixed on the inside of the ball with a smaller ball inside. With movement the smaller ball rolls around running over the different length tongues and against the inside wall of the larger brass ball, like a bell, creating a variation of sounds that result in a chime with most chimes being unique to each individual Harmony Ball.
Aside from the very high skill level required by a silversmith to create such wonderful sterling silver outer cages or skins, much of the skill is also in the design and making of the inner parts of the chime ball – the higher the skill of the silversmith the better the sound of the Harmony Ball. Silversmiths will often experiment with thicknesses of materials and indeed different materials in an effort to create different chime sounds.
The outer cages of Harmony Balls can vary significantly – some are made using flattened sheets of sterling silver intricately cut to create many different patterns, some are made using a thin sterling silver wire which is twisted, entwined and formed to create intricate wire cages. Some Harmony Ball outer cages are actually solid sterling silver skins whilst some are brass skins plated with sterling silver – in some cases highly polished and in others engraved with varying ornate impressions.
The Harmony Ball pendant is worn mainly as a necklace whilst they can also be worn as earrings or attached to a bracelet. Harmony Ball Pendants are often worn on a long necklace cord by women when pregnant so that the Harmony Ball rest over the bump with the chime sound relaxing the baby in the womb.
So if that is a Harmony Ball then what is a Dream Ball and how does it differ?
A Dream Ball is exactly what is described above as a Harmony Ball with the following differences. The Dream Ball has a cylindrical stem at the top of the pendant where on a Harmony Ball the ring would be for attaching a necklace bale. The length of the stem can vary greatly from one style of Dream Ball to another as can the diameter, suffice to say an average length is about 15mm (a bit over ?”) and diameter about 4-5mm (5/32”). The end of the stem is fitted with a Gemstone which acts as a plug. The stem was usually used to contain the “dream/s” of the wearer. The wearer would generally write down their dream on a small piece of paper or parchment and roll it tightly and put it inside the “tube” of the stem then tap the Gemstone in the opening of the stem creating a force fit hence sealing the dream inside the Dream Harmony Ball pendant.
The wearer would always be carrying their dream and in some cases share that dream with family by handing down the dream ball pendant to a son or daughter.
So the Dream “Harmony” Ball is different in some respects however in most cases is simply called a Harmony Ball. The Dream Ball by virtue of its design is often more ornate than a Harmony Ball and of course includes a Gemstone so is generally more valuable than a Harmony Ball.
An extensive range of quality Sterling Silver Harmony Balls and Dream Balls at very affordable prices can be found at HarmonyBallPendant.com
About the Author: Mike OShannessy is an authority in Balinese Harmony Balls and Dream Balls and writes for a number of jewellery online sites.
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Administration delays key ObamaCare insurance mandate
The Obama administration announced Tuesday that it is delaying a major provision in the health care overhaul, putting off until 2015 a requirement that many employers offer health insurance.
The announcement was made late Tuesday by the Treasury Department, at the beginning of the holiday week while Congress was on recess. It comes amid reports that the administration is running into roadblocks as it prepares to implement ObamaCare.
The change in the employer mandate is arguably the most significant concession the administration has made to date.
Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., a critic of the law, seized on the delay as a "clear admission" that the law is "unaffordable, unworkable and unpopular."
"It's also a cynical political ploy to delay the coming train wreck associated with ObamaCare until after the 2014 elections," he said.
The law requires companies that employ 50 or more workers to offer coverage or face fines. The Treasury Department and the White House said that, based on complaints by employers that the system for reporting the coverage was too onerous, they would simplify that system and give employers an additional year to comply.
"We have heard concerns about the complexity of the requirements and the need for more time to implement them effectively," Mark J. Mazur, the assistant secretary for tax policy at the Treasury Department, said in a statement posted online. "We have listened to your feedback. And we are taking action."
The mandate was originally set to kick in for 2014, but will now start in 2015.
The decision effectively means that penalties that would have been assessed against non-compliant businesses will be delayed until 2015. The administration encouraged employers to provide insurance anyway.
While the employer mandate is being delayed, the so-called individual mandate -- the requirement that individuals obtain health insurance -- presumably remains on schedule for 2014.
The administration also still plans to open up a new marketplace for government-regulated insurance plans on Oct. 1, to take effect on Jan. 1. And a sprawling set of subsidies would also remain in place.
The delay of the employer mandate, though, raises questions about whether more elements of the law might be delayed in the coming months.
White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett explained that, on the employer mandate issue, the administration was making two changes.
"First, we are cutting red tape and simplifying the reporting process," she wrote on the White House blog. She cited concerns that the law would have required companies to set up new data collection systems on employee access to health care. She said: "Some of this detailed reporting may be unnecessary for businesses that more than meet the minimum standards in the law." So, she said, the administration plans to figure out a "smarter system."
Second, she said, the administration would delay the roll-out and penalties since they were overhauling the reporting system.
"This allows employers the time to test the new reporting systems and make any necessary adaptations to their health benefits while staying the course toward making health coverage more affordable and accessible for their workers," she said.
Randy Johnson, senior vice president of Labor, Immigration, and Employee Benefits at the Chamber of Commerce, told Fox News that with its decision, the administration has "finally recognized the obvious."
"Employers need more time and clarification of the rules of the road before implementing the employer mandate," he said. "We will continue to work to alleviate this and other problems with ObamaCare."
The announcement was made late Tuesday by the Treasury Department, at the beginning of the holiday week while Congress was on recess. It comes amid reports that the administration is running into roadblocks as it prepares to implement ObamaCare.
The change in the employer mandate is arguably the most significant concession the administration has made to date.
Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., a critic of the law, seized on the delay as a "clear admission" that the law is "unaffordable, unworkable and unpopular."
"It's also a cynical political ploy to delay the coming train wreck associated with ObamaCare until after the 2014 elections," he said.
The law requires companies that employ 50 or more workers to offer coverage or face fines. The Treasury Department and the White House said that, based on complaints by employers that the system for reporting the coverage was too onerous, they would simplify that system and give employers an additional year to comply.
"We have heard concerns about the complexity of the requirements and the need for more time to implement them effectively," Mark J. Mazur, the assistant secretary for tax policy at the Treasury Department, said in a statement posted online. "We have listened to your feedback. And we are taking action."
The mandate was originally set to kick in for 2014, but will now start in 2015.
The decision effectively means that penalties that would have been assessed against non-compliant businesses will be delayed until 2015. The administration encouraged employers to provide insurance anyway.
While the employer mandate is being delayed, the so-called individual mandate -- the requirement that individuals obtain health insurance -- presumably remains on schedule for 2014.
The administration also still plans to open up a new marketplace for government-regulated insurance plans on Oct. 1, to take effect on Jan. 1. And a sprawling set of subsidies would also remain in place.
The delay of the employer mandate, though, raises questions about whether more elements of the law might be delayed in the coming months.
White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett explained that, on the employer mandate issue, the administration was making two changes.
"First, we are cutting red tape and simplifying the reporting process," she wrote on the White House blog. She cited concerns that the law would have required companies to set up new data collection systems on employee access to health care. She said: "Some of this detailed reporting may be unnecessary for businesses that more than meet the minimum standards in the law." So, she said, the administration plans to figure out a "smarter system."
Second, she said, the administration would delay the roll-out and penalties since they were overhauling the reporting system.
"This allows employers the time to test the new reporting systems and make any necessary adaptations to their health benefits while staying the course toward making health coverage more affordable and accessible for their workers," she said.
Randy Johnson, senior vice president of Labor, Immigration, and Employee Benefits at the Chamber of Commerce, told Fox News that with its decision, the administration has "finally recognized the obvious."
"Employers need more time and clarification of the rules of the road before implementing the employer mandate," he said. "We will continue to work to alleviate this and other problems with ObamaCare."
Hair Jewelry - the Essential Addition to Women’s Beauty
Still paying much attention to your face? Now, it is time to lay stress on your hair. Of course, face is of vital importance to one’s overall look. Meanwhile, hair can achieve the same effects. While buying all kinds of cosmetics for face, one can spare some money to get wonderful fashion accessories for hair.
When it comes into hair jewelry, you will come across a large selection in the market, such as, tiaras, headbands, combs, hair clips, and hair pins etc. Usually, they are made of some brilliant materials, like rhinestone, quartz, and crystal. These pieces can add great sparkle to one’s hair. So, you should not hesitate to use these dazzling pieces to appear more beautiful and attractive.
Hairdressers give full play to their imagination and creation, thus, we can expect many stylish hair jewelry today. Besides various hairstyles, some people may choose to wave or color their hair to pursue beauty. Wave hair and hair color can certainly help you make a difference with other people. However, your hair quality will become worse if you do these actions frequently.
When it comes into hair jewelry, you will come across a large selection in the market, such as, tiaras, headbands, combs, hair clips, and hair pins etc. Usually, they are made of some brilliant materials, like rhinestone, quartz, and crystal. These pieces can add great sparkle to one’s hair. So, you should not hesitate to use these dazzling pieces to appear more beautiful and attractive.
Hairdressers give full play to their imagination and creation, thus, we can expect many stylish hair jewelry today. Besides various hairstyles, some people may choose to wave or color their hair to pursue beauty. Wave hair and hair color can certainly help you make a difference with other people. However, your hair quality will become worse if you do these actions frequently.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Singapore smog eases as Indonesian planes waterbomb fires
(Reuters) - Air quality in Singapore improved significantly to "moderate" pollution levels on Saturday, as Indonesian planes waterbombed raging forest fires and investigators scrambled to determine the cause of one of Southeast Asia's worst air pollution crises.
Indonesia's environment minister said eight domestic firms were suspected of being responsible for the blazes on Sumatra island that blanketed neighboring Singapore in record levels of hazardous smog. The parent companies of the Indonesian firms included Malaysia-listed Sime Darby and Singapore's Wilmar Group.
A senior presidential aide on Friday also blamed units of Jakarta-based PT Sinar Mas Agro Resources and Technology (SMART) and Asia Pacific Resources International (APRIL) for the fires.
"We will take legal action whoever they are," Environment Minister Balthasar Kambuaya told reporters. "Any companies from Indonesia, Malaysia or Singapore, they will be legally processed."
But Indonesia's Forestry Ministry, which is leading the investigation, warned about naming suspects and jumping to conclusions too soon.
"We have to be very careful in any legal action. We have to really find out what happened, why the fire happened, and so on. This could be due to negligence too," said Hadi Daryanto, the ministry's general secretary.
Under Indonesian law, any company or person proven to be involved in an illegal forest fire could face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to 5 billion rupiah ($503,800).
Sime Darby and APRIL said there were no fires in any of their operating areas in Indonesia.
SMART and Wilmar said they both had a "zero burning" policy and that most, if not all, the fires raging in and near their concessions were caused by the local community.
"We have discovered a few smallholders with land near our plantations who have been burning to clear their land. We have reported these to the local authorities," said a Wilmar spokeswoman.
HAZY FORECAST
Singapore has warned the "haze" - which has fuelled fears about health problems and raised diplomatic tension in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia - could last for weeks, or even longer.
Indonesia has deployed military planes to fight the blazes on Sumatra island from illegal burning that typically takes place in the June to September dry season to clear space for palm oil plantations. The fires are unusually widespread this year and the smog was the heaviest in Singapore's history.
On the sixth day of the thick smoke, Singapore's pollution index eased to the "moderate" zone with readings as low as 77. It hit a record of 401 on Friday afternoon, a level considered potentially life-threatening for the ill and the elderly.
Despite the improving conditions, streets in the clean and green city-state were far less crowded than on a typical Saturday when people go out to shop, meet in outdoor cafes and have fun at the park.
The Ministry of Education advised public schools to cancel all activities planned for the holiday month of June.
StarHub Ltd, a cable television and Internet provider, said it was providing a free preview of more than 170 channels over the weekend "as we stay home to escape the unbearable haze".
The cost of the smog for Singapore, a major financial centre and tourist destination, could end up being hundreds of millions of dollars, brokerage CLSA said in a report.
In Malaysia, the haze spread north. Air quality in Kuala Lumpur, the capital, and in several surrounding areas worsened into the "unhealthy" zone. The air quality was now "unhealthy" in 17 areas of Malaysia and "very unhealthy" in one area. ($1=9,925 rupiah)
(Additional reporting by Randy Fabi, Fergus Jensen and Michael Taylor in JAKARTA, Eveline Danubrata and Kevin Lim in SINGAPORE, and Stuart Grudgings and Siva Sithraputhran in KUALA LUMPUR; Writing by Randy Fabi; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Indonesia's environment minister said eight domestic firms were suspected of being responsible for the blazes on Sumatra island that blanketed neighboring Singapore in record levels of hazardous smog. The parent companies of the Indonesian firms included Malaysia-listed Sime Darby and Singapore's Wilmar Group.
A senior presidential aide on Friday also blamed units of Jakarta-based PT Sinar Mas Agro Resources and Technology (SMART) and Asia Pacific Resources International (APRIL) for the fires.
"We will take legal action whoever they are," Environment Minister Balthasar Kambuaya told reporters. "Any companies from Indonesia, Malaysia or Singapore, they will be legally processed."
But Indonesia's Forestry Ministry, which is leading the investigation, warned about naming suspects and jumping to conclusions too soon.
"We have to be very careful in any legal action. We have to really find out what happened, why the fire happened, and so on. This could be due to negligence too," said Hadi Daryanto, the ministry's general secretary.
Under Indonesian law, any company or person proven to be involved in an illegal forest fire could face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to 5 billion rupiah ($503,800).
Sime Darby and APRIL said there were no fires in any of their operating areas in Indonesia.
SMART and Wilmar said they both had a "zero burning" policy and that most, if not all, the fires raging in and near their concessions were caused by the local community.
"We have discovered a few smallholders with land near our plantations who have been burning to clear their land. We have reported these to the local authorities," said a Wilmar spokeswoman.
HAZY FORECAST
Singapore has warned the "haze" - which has fuelled fears about health problems and raised diplomatic tension in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia - could last for weeks, or even longer.
Indonesia has deployed military planes to fight the blazes on Sumatra island from illegal burning that typically takes place in the June to September dry season to clear space for palm oil plantations. The fires are unusually widespread this year and the smog was the heaviest in Singapore's history.
On the sixth day of the thick smoke, Singapore's pollution index eased to the "moderate" zone with readings as low as 77. It hit a record of 401 on Friday afternoon, a level considered potentially life-threatening for the ill and the elderly.
Despite the improving conditions, streets in the clean and green city-state were far less crowded than on a typical Saturday when people go out to shop, meet in outdoor cafes and have fun at the park.
The Ministry of Education advised public schools to cancel all activities planned for the holiday month of June.
StarHub Ltd, a cable television and Internet provider, said it was providing a free preview of more than 170 channels over the weekend "as we stay home to escape the unbearable haze".
The cost of the smog for Singapore, a major financial centre and tourist destination, could end up being hundreds of millions of dollars, brokerage CLSA said in a report.
In Malaysia, the haze spread north. Air quality in Kuala Lumpur, the capital, and in several surrounding areas worsened into the "unhealthy" zone. The air quality was now "unhealthy" in 17 areas of Malaysia and "very unhealthy" in one area. ($1=9,925 rupiah)
(Additional reporting by Randy Fabi, Fergus Jensen and Michael Taylor in JAKARTA, Eveline Danubrata and Kevin Lim in SINGAPORE, and Stuart Grudgings and Siva Sithraputhran in KUALA LUMPUR; Writing by Randy Fabi; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Beaded Bracelets – Beaded Bracelets Are the Perfect Gift
Now if you are looking for a special gift for someone you know, handmade bracelets crafted out of any of these styles will be wonderful! Beaded jewelry gifts are very popular all the time! Consider the personality and usual dress of the person you are shopping for. Do they like a lot of drama? If so, then consider beaded jewelry that has a lot of flair, such as charms or various colors. Are they more sophisticated? If so, choose something elegant, like a single strand in sparking, shimmering crystals. Perhaps your gift recipient loves to wear unusual buttons. If that’s the case, consider a button jewelry style bracelet!
Consider now, on the other hand, that you are shopping for yourself! Obviously, it is easy to shop for oneself! However consider a few things when choosing between the many beaded bracelets. The first thing you should picture in your mind is whether or not this beaded jewelrywill match what you want to wear with it. Will it match one outfit or multiple outfits? Think about what colors you like to wear. Do you like busy jewelry, or a peaceful, subtle, calmer piece? Use these considerations to choose your bracelet. Also, how big is the bracelet compared to your wrist? Jewelry extenders are also available to extend the length of your bracelets or other jewelry items.
Since the popularity of beading and bead weaving has skyrocketed in recent years, it has also given way to several related beading magazines, online communities and major events and festivals. For people just beginning to learn about beading, online forums are an excellent way to pitch queries to more advanced peers. Beading magazines are another great resource for finding new project tutorials to help inspire new jewelry ideas. They also report on the latest trends in beading, supplies and styles, which is good to research before visiting beading tradeshows and events.
Consider now, on the other hand, that you are shopping for yourself! Obviously, it is easy to shop for oneself! However consider a few things when choosing between the many beaded bracelets. The first thing you should picture in your mind is whether or not this beaded jewelrywill match what you want to wear with it. Will it match one outfit or multiple outfits? Think about what colors you like to wear. Do you like busy jewelry, or a peaceful, subtle, calmer piece? Use these considerations to choose your bracelet. Also, how big is the bracelet compared to your wrist? Jewelry extenders are also available to extend the length of your bracelets or other jewelry items.
Since the popularity of beading and bead weaving has skyrocketed in recent years, it has also given way to several related beading magazines, online communities and major events and festivals. For people just beginning to learn about beading, online forums are an excellent way to pitch queries to more advanced peers. Beading magazines are another great resource for finding new project tutorials to help inspire new jewelry ideas. They also report on the latest trends in beading, supplies and styles, which is good to research before visiting beading tradeshows and events.
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