2003 tougher year for Asian exports SINGAPORE: Asian exports will have a more difficult year in 2003 with new orders from the United States expected to weaken, said Credit Suisse First Boston (CSFB) in a report on Saturday. The Institute of Supply Management's new orders index eased to 50.4 in July and 49.7 in August, suggesting Asian exports to the U.S. could be flat early next year after growing 15-25 per cent year-on-year in the August-December 2002 period, said CSFB regional economist P.K.

Jakartans invited to rally against fencing of Monas Ahmad Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Jakartans have been invited to flock to the National Monument (Monas) square on Sunday and make a human chain as a protest against the installment of a fence around the park, being built by the city administration using Rp 9 billion in public money.

Festive atmosphere at Erau Festival The word Erau derives from Eroh which means noisy, bustling or festive. In that sense, the Erau Festival refers to a lively event filled with sacred and virtuous rituals. Held in the old city of Tenggarong in Kutai regency, East Kalimantan, the festival is a tradition that dates back to the heyday of the sultanate of Kutai Kertanegara. This year, the festival began on Sept. 20 and runs until Sept. 30.

RI sailor in coma in Italy ITALY: A 45-year-old Indonesian sailor, Hadilah, has been under intensive care at San Camillo Hospital in Rome, Italy, since July after he was allegedly beaten aboard a Belize- registered ship on which he worked as a crewmember. A spokesman from the Indonesian Embassy in Rome, Al Busyra Basnur, said on Friday that the embassy and Italian police had worked closely to investigate the case.

Exploring megalights deep in Sulawesi Bambang M., Contributor, Palu, Central Sulawesi After a five-hour journey through the dense tropical forest in Lore Lindu National Park, over muddy roads and across rivers, we finally arrived at the village of Doda in Poso regency. Doda -- one of a number of villages in the Besoa Valley with a megalith heritage -- looked beautiful in the afternoon sun, though a tad scary with all the locals staring at us from their houses.

Burgundy, a new upmarket watering hole Bill Blade, Contributor, Jakarta It's not every day that penniless, overworked hacks get a chance to savor the high life, but when we do we sure know how to milk it for all its worth.

More and more people turning to traditional medicines Sudibyo M. Wiradji, Contributor, Jakarta While many rely heavily on modern medicines for many reasons, the number of people consuming alternative drugs, including the traditional herbal-based medicines, continues to rise in line with the growing trend of "back to nature" lifestyle. Consumers take the herbal-based medicines, inherited from their ancestors, for therapeutic or health maintenance purposes.

Local pharmaceutical firms struggle hard to survive Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta During the last five years, from the start of the economic crisis in 1997 until 2001, 25 local pharmaceutical manufacturers went bankrupt, leaving more than 12,500 employees jobless. Strict competition due to a small market size, complicated import clearance and the slump of the Indonesian rupiah against the U.S.

E. Timor joins UN as 191st member UNITED NATIONS: The tiny Southeast Asian nation of East Timor, the first country to be born in the 21st century, won a seat at the United Nations on Friday, swelling the world body's membership to 191. The U.N. General Assembly welcomed East Timor -- which gained independence four months ago after breaking away from Indonesia following a bloody conflict -- as its newest member by acclamation.

Oka aims for a repeat gold in Busan Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Busan, South Korea Winning an international title is the ultimate goal for most athletes, and even more special if one can repeat as champion. It is also the main ambition for Indonesian windsurfer I Gusti Made Oka Sulaksana at the 2002 Asian Games (Asiad) in Busan, which will kick off Sunday.

Brits to walk across Java for charity Joseph Mangga, Contributor, Jakarta Most expatriates in Jakarta often talk about wanting to help the underprivileged but unfortunately precious few ever take up the challenge and place any serious time and energy where their mouth is.

A 'mission impossible' for RI Asiad squad Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Busan, South Korea The 2002 Asian Games (Asiad) in Busan is scheduled to open on Sunday. South Korean teenagers are gearing up to witness the promised spectacular ceremony. Fireworks will color the second biggest sports event in the world. But one question remains: What will happen to Indonesia? President Megawati Soekarnoputri has demanded the impossible: bring home 15 of the 420 golds at stake.

Spirit Project aims at more organic dance music Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Last Wednesday night, Taman Ria Senayan in Central Jakarta, was emanated with strong musical vibes. At the parking lot of state-owned television station TVRI, which is adjacent to Taman Ria, the weekly dangdut (popular local music with strong Arab/Indian influence) live concert was held. As usual, the event attracted a large crowd, with most of them from the nearby Palmerah area.

Hamzah warns of public fury over terrorist allegations The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Vice President Hamzah Haz urged foreign countries on Saturday to stop branding Indonesia as a hotbed of terrorism, saying the campaign would incite people's fury against the countries. "The baseless accusations should stop or the Indonesian people may get angry," Hamzah said here as quoted by Antara after opening the congress of the Indonesian National Youth Committee (KNPI).

Windsurfer I Gusti Made Oka Sulaksana speaks about defending his title at the 14th Asian Games in Busan, South Korea, which start today. Defending his title won't be easy, but the Balinese will give it his utmost. Page 3 Big names are in NY Big name designers are displaying their latest collections in the New York Fashion Week with a new trend that reincarnates 1950s designs and a leading style of lingerie looks. Page 13

Maternity boutiques mushrooming in town Emmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Besides doctors and must-consume vitamins, pregnancy has become a big business nowadays fashion wise as more and more women have left behind the idea of wearing the monotonous conservative maternity look with upbeat flowing dresses. Most boutiques were started out of a feeling of empathy for fashion-conscious mothers-to-be.

When people don't trust 'Pak' RT anymore ... Being the chief (Pak) of a neighborhood unit (RT) for 15 years still does not make my father resign. Not because he doesn't want to but because no one wants the job. Well, it's not easy to become Pak RT. As a pensioner, of course my father has lots of time to work on administrative papers for the people. He also has time to act as a leader and representative in handling community issues.

Economic recovery drives growth in Asian markets The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Most Asian pharmaceutical markets have fully recovered from the economic crisis of 1997/1998, despite many suffering from the renewed economic downturn in 2001/2002. The exceptions are Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand, where at the end of 2001 the market value in U.S.

Tantalize your taste buds at S'pore Food Festival Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta If you are bored with ordinary fare, perhaps it's time to stop by at Dusit Mangga Dua Hotel on Jl. Mangga Dua Raya, Central Jakarta. The hotel is staging the Singapore Food Festival from Oct. 1 to Oct. 11. It is a joint event between Singapore Airlines and the Mandarin Hotel Singapore. What is so special about Singapore cuisine?

Tough draw for RI beach volleyball team in 14th Asiad Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Busan, South Korea Indonesian beach volleyball players at the Busan 2002 Asian Games have a tough draw ahead in their competitions which start on Sunday morning well before the Asiad torch, dubbed the Unification Flame, is even lit. The players, Agus Salim, Koko Prasetyo Darkuncoro, Supriadi and Andi Ardiansyah will form two teams in the men's division.

Baby massage: Parents, babies bond well via massage Emmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Many parents here are already familiar with infant massage. Many claim that such treatment can increase a baby's appetite, as well as stimulate blood circulation and bone growth. Current studies show that massage performed by parents will build a stronger emotional bond between babies and parents. The strong bond of affection between parents and babies will in turn help the babies to grow healthier.