TV today TVRI 7:00 a.m. Morning News 7:30 Healthy and Fit with Berty Tilarso 7:40 TV Series: Speed Keteers 8:05 Children Program: Panggung Gembira Anak 8:35 Children Stories 9:00 People and Events 9:30 Comedy: Ria Jenaka 9:45 Indonesian Music: Album Kita 10:45 Youth Program: Temu Remaja 11:15...

Utut regains hope after third-round draw JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian grandmaster Utut Adianto regained his self-confidence as his third-round chess duel against Briton Nigel Short yesterday ended with a draw at the 41st move.

Guess What? Martina Sudwikatmono, eldest daughter of tycoon Sudwikatmono, deserves the nickname "Indonesian queen of pub". Her collection of pubs and restaurants -- all marketed at Jakarta's rich -- grew to three with the opening of Alessandro Nannini Cafe on the third floor of Senayan Plaza on...

Christmas gifts become a business By T. Sima Gunawan JAKARTA (JP): It's Christmas. Although Indonesia is a predominantly Moslem country, a Christmassy atmosphere can be felt in its big cities, at shopping malls in particular.

The secret behind Bagito group's success By A. Ariobimo Nusantara JAKARTA (JP): Many Indonesians might not know the difference between a clown and a comedian. The line is so thin between the two that a layman usually has problems discerning it and, for convenience sake, just lumps it all under the...

Five climbers die UJUNGPANDANG (JP): Five of a group of seven trekkers were found dead on Mount Bawakaraeng, a 2,800-meter-high mountain in the Gowa regency of South Sulawesi, police report. Their bodies were located on Friday, the Malino police announced Friday.

Airport parking, missing items There are two issues I would like to bring to the attention of PT Angkasa Pura management following my visit to Terminal 2 of the Jakarta international airport on the evening of Dec. 19.

Mexicans fight to preserve century-old Xmas tradition By Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): Ask anyone in your neighborhood if they know anything about Mexico and they will most surely mention Maria Mercedes, Louis Alfredo or Santiago. The answer isn't surprising.

Pohsarang Church blends with its environment and community KEDIRI, East Java: On top of a hill in a village near Kediri, East Java a small church blends nicely with its environment and the amiable community. It's as if the two compliment each other.

Different ponds have different fish JAKARTA (JP): Here are a couple of things you would expect anyone would do at the mall or on the street. But, remember, you are in Jakarta now. When old friends bump into each other in the corridor of a packed shopping mall, for example, you'd expect them to step...

RI students abroad have mixed-emotions at Christmas By T. Sima Gunawan JAKARTA (JP): The first time John A. Utomo spent Christmas in the United States four years ago, he had mixed emotions. "New friends, new environment and first Christmas with snow gave me a lot of excitement, but it was not easy...

RI economy projected to decelerate next year JAKARTA (JP): Merrill Lynch has predicted a deceleration of the Indonesian economic growth rate to a range of 6.5 to 7 percent in the coming 12 or 18 months, quite different from the rate of more than 7 percent projected by most domestic analysts.

Holiday In observance of Christmas, The Jakarta Post will not appear tomorrow. We will resume publication on Tuesday. We wish Merry Christmas to our readers who celebrate the day. -- Publisher

The Regent presents special Christmas cuisine JAKARTA (JP): These three recipes of Christmas cuisine have been specially prepared by The Regent Jakarta for The Jakarta Post. Seared Beef Tenderloin with Wok Fried Vegetable Miso Sauce (Serve: four portions) Ingredients: 4 pieces 160 gr beef...

The roles of husbands and wives changed By Myra Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): She works in an office, he takes their son to school. Together they are a fine American couple. When she comes home from the office they do the cooking together.

ASEAN countries form own soccer group BANGKOK (AFP): Football associations from the seven ASEAN countries on Friday formed their own group to increase their soccer profile. The setting up of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) was described as "a historic moment for any football fan in Southeast...

'Hot Wax' features shared cultures By Barbara Healy JAKARTA (JP): "Hot Wax, an Exhibition of Australian Aboriginal and Indonesian Batik", opened Friday at the Gedung Pameran Seni Rupa on Jl. Merdeka Timur 14, Central Jakarta.