Akbar becames Golkar's first-ever elected chairman JAKARTA (JP): At the end of an intense three-day extraordinary congress yesterday, Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung captured the Golkar chairmanship in the first ever voted election by the dominant political organization, which also said it...

Jakartans predict victory for Brazil in W. Cup final JAKARTA (JP): So who's going to go home with the World Cup this year? Soccer fans, from celebrities and businesspeople to military officers, were asked to predict the winner of the World Cup final between France and Brazil.

Hotels and cafes offer deals to final watchers JAKARTA (JP): World Cup fever has not only afflicted the 32 participating countries, but also seemingly all others around the world, including Indonesia.Many locals have sacrificed sleep to stay up into the wee hours to watch the matches broadcast live...

Let cooperatives grow undisturbed, chief Herlambang saysBy Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): Today, Indonesians mark the 51st National Cooperatives Day in observance of the First National Cooperative Congress in Tasikmalaya, West Java, on July 12, 1947.

SpotlightPhoto A: GranMeliaGran Melia JakartaTOUCH DOWN: The Gran Melia Jakarta's guest relations officer, Erika R. Situmorang (second from right), welcomes Ronald R. Roy, vice president of Spain's Sol Meli Asia Pacific's sales and marketing (second from left) and Jennifer Dunbar of the hotel...

Guess What? Mochtar Riady It was unimaginable during former president Soeharto's 32-year rule for anybody to interrupt him while he was speaking. Mochtar Riady, the owner of the giant Lippo Group, broke the rigid taboo Tuesday with Soeharto's replacement.

How to master, manipulate one's inner powerBy Christiani S. Tumelap and Johannes Simbolon JAKARTA (JP): Good health is said to be the most precious treasure in one's life. Myriad different exercises have been invented to help people develop a healthier and better-shaped body.

Stimulating public discourse through artBy Amir Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): An exhibition of the work of five artists, Amrus Natalsya, Salim M., Sulan, Tomy Faisal Alim, and Firman is currently being held at the Japan Foundation.

Staying healthy on tight budget An apple a day keeps the doctor away, says homespun wisdom, but even apples are a bit beyond the budget nowadays. The Jakarta Post team of reporters Aloysius Unditu, Christiani S. Tumelap, Johannes K.

Mt. Merapi eruption spews ash over 60 kmBy Israr Ardiansyah and Asip Agus Hasani MAGELANG, Central Java (JP): Mt. Merapi, after days of ominous rumbling and minor tremors, finally erupted early yesterday morning, spewing toxic heat clouds and volcanic ash onto villages several kilometers away.

Akbar Tandjung, not your usual political lightweight JAKARTA (JP): Going through his official resume, one would be forgiven for dismissing Akbar Tandjung, the new Golkar chairman, as a political lightweight. But this is not necessarily the case.

Mastery of inner power can bring both health and beautyBy Yudha Kartohadiprodjo and Stevie Emilia JAKARTA (JP): Many people say beauty usually comes with good health.What many are not aware of, however, is that both beauty and health can derive from tenaga dalam, or inner power.

PORPI offers healthy life through 'breathing'By Aloysius Unditu and Stevie Emilia JAKARTA (JP): People living in big cities are getting dizzy trying to cope with the current hardships caused by the crisis, the country's worst ever.

TV todayTVRI 6:00 a.m. News: Sari Berita Sepekan 6:30 Morning Focus 6:45 Healthy and Fresh 7:00 Religious Teachings: Hikmah Pagi 7:30 Children's Program: Arena Kami 8:00 Children's Program: Kumbang and Family 8:30 Children's Program: Nuansa Anak 9:00 Documentary Film: Lembah Bada 9:30 Creative...

In search of the real meaning of life Bhagavad Gita bagi Orang Modern: Menyelami Misteri Kehidupan (Bhagavad Gita for Modern People: An Attempt to Understand the Mystery of Life); By Anand Krishna; Published by Gramedia Pustaka Utama, Jakarta, 1998; xiv + 380 pp YOGYAKARTA (JP): Forgetting who he...

Some TV films retain quality despite crisisBy Marselli Sumarno JAKARTA (JP): Soaring prices have nearly dealt a fatal blow to national film production which was already expensive before the onset of the economic crisis. There is concern, therefore, that production levels will plummet.

Indonesia vs Lebanon in Davis Cup JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian men's tennis team will leave for Beirut today to challenge Lebanon in the Group I Asia Oceania Davis Cup playoff.Indonesian Tennis Association deputy secretary-general Subiyanto SP said yesterday that the playoff would take place from...

Indonesia asks U.S. help to seek extra aid WASHINGTON (AP): Indonesia is asking the United States for help in securing an additional US$4 billion to $6 billion in international aid to combat the Asian nation's worst financial crisis in 30 years.

Krisdayanti has baby JAKARTA (JP): Artists Anang and Krisdayanti were blessed with the arrival of a daughter on Friday at 1:38 a.m. whom they named Titania Aurelia Hermansyah, Antara reported yesterday.