Safe sex facts vital protector for teens Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Whether it's for reproductive or recreative purposes, safe sex is always worth campaigning for, particularly for teenagers. Take "Roni" for example. As a freshman at a local private university, he tried to fit in with his five new colleagues: going to places, eating, drinking and hanging out together.

'Consumers need something more' I. Christianto, Contributor, Jakarta Growing competition among courier service providers has prompted business players to provide additional services for customers. Fast delivery on its own no longer impresses users. Courier service providers have realized that "express" is not the only term sought by customers, but also logistics, transportation, customs brokerage and inventory management.

Green Flies By Maria Magdalena Bhoernomo Green flies the size of ostriches swarmed around Mangga Dua trading center in Jakarta, droning like the sound of planes. "Look, giant flies," shouted someone in front of an electronics shop, startling those around him. Suddenly, everyone in the trading center smelled the stink, like the fetid odor of a dead rat. Disgusting. Everybody pinched their noses, but their eyes watched the meandering green flies, which then flew off into the distance.

Dede Eri Supria: Taking aim at globalism Aendra H. Medita, Contributor, Jakarta In the eyes of a painter, an urban change means more than just a change, and will also have a profound significance. He or she might respond to it as a global force that produces another force in the grand image of the change itself, thus provoking a broad and shocking discourse. In this regard, a symbolic force could emerge.

'I want Indonesia to become like Las Vegas' Emmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta When speaking about the world of magic in this country, one name and face stands out: Deddy Cahyadi Sundjojo, better known as Deddy Corbuzier. The 27 year old, known for his Emperor Ming style haircut and makeup, is a regular on stage and TV, and he has taken magic out of the amateur stakes to that of a profession.

'Sexy beast' to visit major cities Claire Harvey, Contributor, Jakarta When asked about Britain, most Indonesians are expert commentators on soccer and the royal family -- "err, Lady Di? Manchester United?" -- but that's about it. The British Council in Jakarta has spent the last few months researching attitudes toward the UK, and found that while most Indonesians think positively about Britain, their understanding of UK culture is limited.

What's in Sunday Kredit foto: Artfolio Space Global Breach: Artist Dede Eri Supria wields his paintbrush as a weapon to take aim at the effects of globalism on Indonesian society. In works currently on display in Singapore, Dede examines the dichotomy between the glittering promises of globalism's advocates and the desperate reality for those who become also-rans in changing times.

ASEAN finance ministers see regional growth Agence France-Presse, Yangon Southeast Asian finance ministers on Saturday said they expected the region to grow at 3.5-4.0 percent this year, bolstered by global recovery and efforts to integrate member nations' economies. At the conclusion of their annual meeting, held in the Myanmar capital for the first time, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ministers said their "sound macroeconomic policies" would also have a positive effect.

Portrait of the artist as a young Indonesian Monique Natalia Contributor Jakarta A young man clad in a T-shirt and jeans is walking along a deserted path when a sinister-looking man jumps out and proceeds to do things that could be considered sexual harassment. A passerby who hears the victim's cries stops to rescue him, Jacky Chan/The Matrix-style. Amid it all, there is the sound of dangdut (Indonesian pop) music. Footage from a wacky takeoff of the 9 o'clock news?

Four RI children to attend World Cup JAKARTA: Four Indonesian children will join children around the world to meet and escort top soccer players in the 2002 World Cup through a program organized by McDonald's Indonesia. The four children, ages ranging from six to 10 years old, will be selected from among 28 finalists in the final selection procedure of the McDonald's Player Escort Program at Mandarin Oriental hotel, Central Jakarta, on Sunday.

RI stays in Group One, routs Lebanon 3-0 Musthofid, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya Indonesia's Davis Cup team took an unassailable 3-0 lead over Lebanon to remain in Group One of the Asia-Oceania zone after Hendri Susilo Pramono and Bonit Wiryawan won a hard-fought doubles match over Ali Hamadeh and Patrick Chucri. After an intense two-hour battle, relief was etched in the faces of the Indonesian team as they spilled with joy onto the court seconds after Hamadeh failed to return Hendri's drive.

Grand Cherokee 4.71: The toughness of a jeep, comfort of a sedan Primastuti Handayani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Cherokee no longer refers only to an important American Indian tribe. Now it also refers to the U.S.-based Jeep product. Maintaining the success it has enjoyed as an off-road leader with such vehicles as Willys, CJ7 and Wrangler, Jeep is now coming to the Indonesian market with the brand new Grand Cherokee 4.7l. What makes this new vehicle different from the old (boxy) Cherokee?

Hospital puts vegetarian meals on the menu Melinda Hewitt, Contributor, Jakarta In our meat-focused world, it was a brave step to take. In 1998, Medika Griya Hospital (RSMG) in Sunter, North Jakarta, became the first hospital in Jakarta to embrace a vegetarian diet, both for its patients and staff, in an effort to incorporate holistic health principles in the treatment of disease.

RI eyes gains in U.S.-S'pore free trade Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post, Bintan Indonesian manufacturers can expect to benefit from a planned free trade pact between the U.S. and Singapore, using the city- state as a jumping-off point for cheaper access to the U.S. market. Visiting U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellik said that the Bintan industrial zone near Singapore may be the first to benefit from a free trade pact between the U.S. and the city state.

Where to go in Jakarta: Sunday, April 7, 2002 Exhibitions * Photo Imitation of Life, Galeri Foto Jurnalistik Antara, Jl. Antara No. 59 Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta (Tel. 3458771), until April 9. * Painting by Bunga Jeruk and Sekar Jatiningrum, Edwin's Gallery Jl. Kemang Raya No. 21, Kemang, South Jakarta, (Tel. 7194721), April 7. * Painting Untukmu Saudaraku Jakarta, Dinda Cafe Gallery, Taman Semanggi Cafe Area, Block L-7/8, Jl Jend Sudirman, South Jakarta, until April 25.

S'pore mulls other water sources MALAYSIA: Malaysia on Saturday reacted coolly to a Singaporean suggestion which seeks to reduce the island's dependence on water piped in from its near neighbor. "That's Singapore's choice. If Singapore says it wants to find other water sources, that's up to Singapore," deputy prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency.

TV Program: Sunday, April 7, 2002 TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 7:30 Sports 8:30 Children's Program 9:00 Music 10:00 Children's Program 12:30 p.m. Comedy 1:00 Volleyball Tournament 4:30 Performance 6:00 News 7:00 Comedy 7:30 Music: Dansa Yo Dansa 9:00 News 9:30 Comic 10:00 Music: Rock and Round 12:30 a.m. Puppet Show TPI 5:30 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 7:00 Cartoon 8:00 Home Sweet Home 8:30 Chinese Food 9:00 Entertainment News 10:00 Boxing 12:30 p.m.

Green Flies By Maria Magdalena Bhoernomo Green flies the size of ostriches swarmed around Mangga Dua trading center in Jakarta, droning like the sound of planes. "Look, giant flies," shouted someone in front of an electronics shop, startling those around him. Suddenly, everyone in the trading center smelled the stink, like the fetid odor of a dead rat. Disgusting. Everybody pinched their noses, but their eyes watched the meandering green flies, which then flew off into the distance.

Taipei not only for business travelers Mehru Jaffer, Contributor, Taipei To not be involved in business means to feel terribly out of place in Taipei. Everybody is friendly enough here in this sprawling city, but they are all very, very busy. The people in Taipei do not seem to have anything against tourists except that they don't, perhaps, know what to do with them.

Dengue fever ramains a threat in Jakarta Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Dengue fever remains a threat in the capital especially when the wet season is ending and the dry season begins. Since early this month, new patients have been admitted to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital (RSCM) almost every single day. Data from the hospital shows that from Monday to Saturday, five patients of dengue fever have been treated at the hospital.

Dollar-based rates cause problems for exporters Sudibyo M. Wiradji, Contributor, Jakarta Regular customers of international express courier companies praise the professionalism and reliability of the companies' air delivery services but grumble at the U.S. dollar-denominated freight costs, which they consider too high. Exporters and buying agents are on the list of regular clients using international express courier services as part of their business worldwide.

Gently does it for ambassador Soemadi Yenni Djahidin, The Jakarta Post, Washington D.C. When Ambassador Soemadi Brotodiningrat is asked to describe the state of relations between Indonesia and the United States, he chooses the word "sensitive". Arriving in March to head the Indonesian mission, Soemadi knows full well that the fight against terrorism is still very much in the minds of the American people, and not just the U.S. government. He believes that the Sept.

Asperindo members may soon raise tariffs to offset higher costs The Association of Indonesian Courier Companies (Asperindo) has called for an increase in the tariff of express delivery services in the country following the increases in operating costs. The secretary general of the West Java chapter of the association, Dani Hernawan, said recently that the increase of fuel in January and another rise last week had greatly affected courier companies' operations.

An ounce of prevention is worth... Riding the train is still one of the best options to travel. The reasons are obvious. The price of airfares is still high, while the bus is not an option unless you have lots of time on your hands. Despite the series of fatal train accidents last year, I continue to use the train to get around Java. I still feel safe riding trains, especially executive class, or at least I did.

On The Shelf Panggil Aku Peng Hwa (Call me Peng Hwa): Kumpulan Cerita Pendek (A Collection of Short Stories); By Veven Sp. Wardhana; Kepustakaan Populer Gramedia (KPG), 2002; Xiii + 202 pp This collection of short stories is unusual because it is divided into three parts -- Panggil Aku Peng Hwa (Call me Peng Hwa), with seven stories; Perempuan Bawah Tanah (Underground Women) with six short stories, and Perempuan Dangdut (Dangdut Women), consisting of another seven stories.

Cue the good times at Afterhour Bill Blade, Contributor, Jakarta Afterhour, Gedung Sarinah Lt 2, Jl. MH Thamrin No. 11, Central Jakarta. Tel: 39832047. Open from 12 midday to 2 a.m. every day There was a time, not so many moons ago, when the beastly editor (whose name thou shalt not speaketh), was wont to insinuate that yours truly was losing touch with the younger generation.