Which mall is the best place to hang out?Monique Natalia, Contributor, Jakarta For young Jakartans, going to the mall has become an activity in itself. For some, it has even got to the point of being a sort of ritual that they must do every day.

RI remains attractive to investors French people all over the world are celebrating Bastille Day today to commemorate the founding of the nation. The French Ambassador to Indonesia, Herve Ladsous, talks to The Jakarta Post contributor, I.

Committed for long-term deals Indonesia has, for a long time, been a major Asian trading partner for France.Despite the deep economic and monetary crisis of the late 1990s, French companies have confirmed their commitment to the Indonesian market.

On the shelvesNagari Tawon Madu (Honey Bee Country); The political history of 18th century Blambangan; I Made Sudjana; Larasan-Sejarah Kuta Bali; First edition December 2001; 124 pp This year the Dutch are celebrating the 400th anniversary of the establishment of the Vereenigde Oost-Indische...

Mike Tramp relieves White Lion's fameHera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Mike Tramp of White Lion? Sigh. But what's the use of complaining? It is the downside of living in a poor, third-world country where we are unable to really choose the foreign artists that perform here.

Legendary DJ de Melero spells out his successJoseph Mangga, Contributor, Denpasar, Bali I first met the lovely Mike and Sadja one evening in early 2000, on Jl. Gado Gado, at a shrine the Swedish couple had constructed especially for the worship of the one powerful "spirit" that they "Absolutely"...

Poso back to normal after bomb blastErick W., The Jakarta Post, Palu The situation in Poso regency, Central Sulawesi, returned to normal on Saturday, one day after a bomb explosion that killed a woman in a bus, but police kept closed the road where the blast had occurred.

Civil emergency rejected in AcehNani Farida and Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh/Jakarta Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh joined forces with the provincial legislative council, clerics and non-governmental organizations to oppose the imposition of a civil emergency in Aceh, saying...

West Java continues domination at national tae kwon do championshipMusthofid, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta West Java, the 2001 overall champion, continued its domination at the 3rd LG Cup national tae kwon do championship, winning another three gold medals at the Bung Karno Indoor Tennis Court here on...

Train derailment injures 36 INDONESIA: Thirty-six people aboard the Mutiara Timur train were injured when three of the rear cars jumped the tracks and rolled over while passing through Rejoso, Pasuruan in East Java province late on Saturday.No fatalities were reported.

Gucci men's wear Ford brings elegant Thirties backHera Diani The Jakarta Post JakartaPeople call it the Elegant Thirties. It was a period of glamorous style, with formal wear for men and sleek bias cut gowns for women.

A way forward for the Chinese issue?Fabio Scarpello, Contributor, Jakarta Indonesia is an extremely diverse country, but in its heterogeneity has always presented significant degrees of tolerance for ethnic, racial and religious differences. The exception is the Chinese minority.

Powell to visit Indonesia during Asia tour this monthAgencies, Washington U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell will launch a grueling eight-nation tour of Asia this month, hoping to keep tensions between India and Pakistan under control and to bolster the Pacific front of the U.S.

Dede stands up for minority causesChristina Schott, Contributor, Surabaya Many people call him the most famous homosexual in Indonesia. Others say he is one of the country's most intelligent people, while some just call him "a very good guy".

Stateless and discriminated against in their country Hendrawan is perhaps Indonesia's best-known sportsman. Olympic Badminton silver medalist in Sydney 2000 and World Champion in 2001 he has stood tall on the podium, and proudly listened "his" national anthem being played.

Malls offer everything for everyone Modernization has changed people's lifestyles in large cities all over the world, including Jakarta. When in the past people would spend their free time at parks or public places, nowadays people flock to the malls scattered around the city.

Army to keep network in regions: RyamizardJupriadi, The Jakarta Post, Makassar Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu has rejected increasing calls for the liquidation of the much-criticized regional military network, saying its presence was urgently needed as an early warning system for...

Poso calm after bomb blastErick W. The Jakarta Post Palu The situation in Poso regency, Central Sulawesi, returned to normal on Saturday, one day after a bomb explosion that killed a woman in a bus, but police kept closed the road where the blast had occurred.

Will another mall fulfill our needs?Bambang Nurbianto and Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Everyone has their own reason to go to the mall. It could be for shopping, sightseeing or a social gathering.For Tria, 30, it tends to be the latter, plus catching up with what's hip today.

Classic RockerMike Tramp was surprised to find he still had fans in Jakarta, though most of those present for his performance at the Fashion Cafe remembered him only from his days fronting '80s long-hair rockers White Lion. But Tramp proved that this is one lion who can still roar.