Indonesia's Davis Cup teamFrom Media IndonesiaThe Davis Cup tennis match between Indonesia and Taiwan, the host, is drawing near. The skills of our players are soon to be tested at the PON XIV sports week, on courts which meet the requirements set for the Davis Cup tournament.

More attention to local sports clubs needed Born on the banks of the Kali Malang river in East Jakarta in November 1928, Mangombar Ferdinand Siregar is a veteran swimming trainer and leading sports figure.

Cholera hits Manila MANILA (Reuter): A cholera outbreak has killed two people in Manila and 150 people, mostly children, have come down with the disease, Philippine health officials said yesterday.The Department of Health said a four-year-old girl and a boy of the same age died earlier this week,...

Rich wedding traditions in Asia in danger of dying outBy Parvathi Nayar Narayan JAKARTA (JP): In the era of globalization, it is becoming increasingly more important to preserve a country's traditional practices while making them more accessible to the modern- oriented generation.

Ragunan school trains RI's best as athletes JAKARTA (JP): The joy greeting gold badminton medalists Rexy Mainaky and Ricky Subagja who beat the Malaysians in Atlanta was marred by disappointment that the women's single team only managed to bring home a silver.

Jackets for reporters JAKARTA (JP): The Association of Indonesian Journalists (PWI) plans to distribute jackets or vests to reporters to help the public and security forces distinguish them in a crowd.PWI Chairman Sofyan Lubis was quoted by Antara as saying that this was necessary after an incident...

Breakaway Khmer Rouge recognize government PHNOM PENH (Reuter): Breakaway Khmer Rouge guerrillas loyal to Ieng Sary recognize the authority of the Cambodian government and the ideals of a single state, territory and administration, co- Premier Hun Sen said yesterday.

Stability and reform must be balanced Hoang Ngoc Nguyen analyses the political leadership profile arising out of Vietnam's Eighth Party Congress. Notwithstanding the current triumvirate leadership of Secretary-General Do Muoi, President Le Duc Anh and Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet surviving the Eighth...

KL chides S'pore over merger issue KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter); Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has accused Singapore of insincerity in suggesting the republic may be forced to re-merge with Malaysia if Singaporeans lose their competitive edge, local newspapers said on Saturday.

Guess What? For some men, a mustache is a symbol of masculinity. Others say they have one because they are too lazy to shave.Whatever the reason, a man who suddenly shaves his long-time thick mustache will look quite strange, sometimes even funny, to those who are familiar with his "original" look.

Road crash kills three BEKASI, West Java (JP): Three died and eight were injured when a Toyota Kijang van overturned on the Cikampek toll road yesterday morning.Police said the van carrying a family from Jatinegara, East Jakarta, was heading for Bandung.

Pictorialism, part of Indonesia's photographic historyBy Amir Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): Merely five years after its discovery by Daguerre in 1839, photography was introduced to Indonesia by Adolf Schaeffer, who was assigned to document archaeology in the Netherlands Indies.

Drivers made milch cowsFrom MerdekaFor quite some time, truck drivers like us have been asked for money if we have to pass the weighing stations at Waraduwur and Weru in Cirebon district, West Java. If we refuse to give in to these demands, life is made difficult for us, like being fined for an...

China operates on the basis of realpolitikBy Robyn Lim Regional states should stick together in their interaction with China. China is at a critical point strategically, its focus having shifted from north to south.

PON -- a time for talent scouting The National Games (PON) which opens in Jakarta tomorrow is more than just a contest for collecting the most gold between the 27 provinces taking part. The event provides an opportunity for Indonesia to select its best athletes to represent the nation in future...

Does Indonesian fashion have a foot in the graveBy Dini S. Djalal JAKARTA (JP): Imagine yourself a newcomer to Jakarta looking to buy some Indonesian-designed fashions.You enter Plaza Indonesia or Plaza Senayan with great expectations of ethnic chic, but all you see are the same expensive boutiques...

Benny Wijaya eligible for PON: Organizers JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tennis Association has no reason to bar the country's former men's singles number one Benny Wijaya from the 14th National Games, the association's secretary-general Subianto said yesterday.

Lack of funds still a major problem for PON JAKARTA (JP): The 14th National Games (PON), a sports extravaganza for Indonesia's 27 provinces, will be officially opened here tomorrow. Yet daunting funding problems remain.The executive chairman of the organizers, R.S.