'As Good As It Gets' rebels with extraordinarinessBy Rayya Makarim JAKARTA (JP): The opening scene of As Good As It Gets shows Melvin Udall (Jack Nicholson), a romance novelist, hurling his neighbor's dog down the garbage chute.

Recycle Paper to protect your children's futureBy Laila Faisal JAKARTA (JP): We take paper for granted every day of the week. When we need paper it can be almost guaranteed that a sheet or two can be found on the desk, in the drawers or in your bag.

Int'l schools battle on amid dwindling enrollmentsBy Stevie Emilia JAKARTA (JP): The girl's little fingers tap and squeeze a portion of play dough from a large chunk prepared by her teacher.A few minutes later she laughs cheerfully, showing off her work to her teacher and a classmate.

Tourism development in East Timor needs investorsBy I Ketut Sutika DILI, East Timor (Antara): A harmonious blend of valleys, mountains and the sea offers a spellbinding view along the southern coast of East Timor.

WB to organize food aid for RI WASHINGTON (Reuters): The World Bank will coordinate an international humanitarian relief program to aid Indonesia, Australia's foreign minister said on Friday."The World Bank has now agreed to coordinate a very significant humanitarian relief effort for Indonesia,"...

Why I didn't set up my own businessBy Idrus I am an employee of an Indonesian import-export company. My office is a newly painted garage. I have a desk the size of a pocket handkerchief and an old rocking chair.

Report of rescheduling rejection dismissed JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Research and Technology Rahardi Ramelan has denied media reports that Japanese banks rejected a request by Vice President B.J. Habibie to reschedule Indonesia's private sector overseas debts.

Plenty of choices in IT education in RIBy Zatni Arbi JAKARTA (JP): Quality computer education has always been one of my main concerns. It is so obvious that, although personal computers can be found everywhere, their utilization is still very limited in general.

Let's be resourceful and innovative JAKARTA (JP): "We need to adopt a new life style," wrote my friend Zatni in an email message. "Everything has gone up in price, from the computer magazines I need for my writings to all food stuff.

Court acquits Catholic priest and his brother JAKARTA (JP): Bekasi District Court acquitted Catholic priest Ignatius Sandyawan Sumardi and his brother Benny Sumardi of charges of harboring activists accused of masterminding the July 27 riot in Jakarta in 1996.

Geuzenprize for Pakpahan The Indonesian Prosperous Labor Union has announced that the Netherlands' Stichting Geuzenverzet foundation awarded Muchtar Pakpahan the prestigious Geuzenprize. Some background information was published in a newspaper article, which needs some clarification.

Local TV stations sell program abroad to surviveBy Antariksawan Jusuf JAKARTA (JP): Although still seen by some as just a penny- making industry, exporting television programs looks promising for local stations at a time when advertising revenues continue to free fall.

Indonesia-IMF talks seen to be encouraging JAKARTA (JP): Talks between the government and an International Monetary Fund (IMF) team here to review the country's economic reform program have made considerable progress, according to Indonesian and IMF officials.

French flair flavours 'Paris of the Orient'By Wang Su Tiak JAKARTA (JP): While artists around the world may look to the Orient as a source of creative inspiration, oriental art and architecture itself draws stimulation from a multiplicity of cultural influences.

Shall I not? Shall I notCome to youOn a dark nightWhen it is rainingA Bogor rain? Shall I not lookInto your eyeswhen they are moistWith love? Shall I not speakThe music of my heartWhen your footstepsSound on wet pavement? Shall I not liftA finger to touchResounding chordsIn your heart? Shall I not...

Shooting association seeks tax exemption for bullets JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Indonesian Shooting Association (Perbakin) Sutiyoso urged the government yesterday to consider classifying imported bullets and other shooting materials as exempt from taxes.

SpotlightPhoto A: PoetJP/leoWINNING POET: Poet Sutardji Calzoum Bachri (left) and Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso hold aloft the Chairil Anwar Award. Sutardji received the award, which was organized by the Jakarta Art Council, Friday night at Taman Ismail Marzuki in Central Jakarta.

Don't expect power to sap Hasan's brashnessBy Devi M. Asmarani JAKARTA (JP): When he accepted the immense task of becoming the new industry and trade minister, Mohamad (Bob) Hasan subjected himself to fresh brouhaha on top of his already controversial persona.

Sidewalk 'literature' functions as alternative readingBy A. Ariobimo Nusantara JAKARTA (JP): The domino effect of soaring print paper prices is increasingly being felt now, particularly in book publication circles.

Putu offers intrigue, greed to the masses JAKARTA (JP): Intrigue has always inspired one of Indonesia's foremost writers and theater icons, Putu Wijaya, to create award- winning works. But nothing inspires him more than society's problems.