Recreation centers gear up for New Year celebrations T. Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Jakarta The long-awaited moment is coming in just 10 days. The New Year is drawing near and people are getting ready to celebrate it with hopes for a better future, wishing for success and prosperity. Trumpets will be blown and colorful confetti spread in the air to add to the joyful atmosphere that will envelop the city.

Traders, thugs clash over 'security' fee INDONESIA: A group of thugs clashed with local traders in Tavip market in Binjai, some 20 kilometers south of North Sumatra capital Medan, on Saturday, leaving all the shops in town shut for some seven hours. No fatalities were reported in the incident. Witnesses said the clash began on Saturday morning at 10 p.m., when several local thugs led by Untung, 29, demanded money from several traders in the Tavip market.

Jazz Goes to Campus learning its lessons Adhi Abhiyasa , Contributor, Jakarta Unlike last year, jazz aficionados flocking to the 26th Jazz Goes to Campus were greeted with cloudy skies, a cool breeze and, wait, only one big stage. What happened to the other smaller, less flashy yet crowd-friendlier stage?

The head covering is hip for young women Tomi Soetjipto, Reuters, Jakarta Forget the stereotype image of Muslim women draped from head to toe in all-enveloping robes, or girls shrouded in modest white veils. In Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, the Islamic headscarf is hip, particularly among the rich and upwardly mobile. A walk through upscale shopping malls like Plaza Senayan in the capital Jakarta is a real eye-opener.

What do teenagers and adults think of each other? Luca Ferrini , Contributor, Bogor, West Java Some adults think teenagers are trouble-makers and hard to predict, while teenagers often find adults difficult to talk to. The writer talked to people from both age groups and asked them what they thought of each other. Anhar Hardjakusumah, 13, is a student of the International School of Bogor: I don't talk much to my parents.

DJ Van M: Swimming in delta waves at Stadium Joseph Mangga, Contributor, Jakarta There was a major improvement this year in the number of major international music acts visiting Indonesia; even though quite a few weak-kneed and yellow-livered bands like Yes, Blue, Mew, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and, most recently, Limp Biscuit canceled shows at the last minute for fear of SARS, terrorist bombings or whatever reason.

Early detection half of the battle Early signs * A lump is detected, which is usually single, firm, and most often painless. * A portion of the skin on the breast or underarm swells and has an unusual appearance. * Veins on the skin surface become more prominent on one breast. * The breast nipple becomes inverted, develops a rash, changes in skin texture, or has a discharge other than breast milk. * A depression is found in an area of the breast surface.

Celebrate the countdown at five-star hotels Debbie A. Lubis, Contributor, Jakarta Most people are aware of something they would like to change about themselves, and new year's resolutions are considered to be an effective instrument for personal improvement. Some people like to go to a tranquil place to cherish the New Year's countdown solemnly. Others like to hang out with their friends around town or attend a lively party.

Group teaches peace in becoming grounded for life Bruce Emond The Jakarta Post Jakarta It's a little after 6 p.m. as a trickle of people files out into the creeping darkness from a house on a quiet side street in South Jakarta.

Islam's all-enveloping Hijab is hip in Indonesia Tomi Soetjipto Reuters Jakarta Forget the stereotype image of Muslim women draped from head to toe in all-enveloping robes, or girls shrouded in modest white veils. In Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, the Islamic Hijab is hip, particularly among the rich and upwardly mobile. A walk through upscale shopping malls like Plaza Senayan in the capital Jakarta is a real eye-opener.

Commuters object to high busway fares Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Arsi, 22, took out Rp 1,200 (14 U.S. cents) from her pocket to pay the fare for a bus from Blok M, South Jakarta, to Kota, West Jakarta, not realizing that it was probably one of the last times she would to pay such a low fare. When the busway project kicks off on Jan. 15, commuters like Arsi will have to pay Rp 2,500 to ride one of the 56 air- conditioned buses. "I'm gonna have to pay Rp 2,500? That's crazy.

Why more is less, even during Christmas season I wasn't raised in Christmas' gift-showering tradition so it isn't really a big deal to me. As far as I am concerned, I don't even have a holiday. As a kid, we got so excited about Chinese New Year instead. It was a big thing back then.

Down's syndromes boy wins with parents' support Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta All parents dream that their children will be born normal, attractive, healthy individuals. Nobody ever expects that their child will have a disability. If they are born with a congenital condition, it may lead to intense feelings of sadness and confusion in the parents. It was a problem that faced Aryanti R. Yacub when her son, Michael, now 13, was diagnosed with Down's syndrome while still an infant.

IMF approves final loan tranche to Indonesia Agencies Jakarta The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday approved a new US$505 million loan to Indonesia, the final portion of the $5.3 billion support program that the government called in after the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis. Indonesia has already decided not to ask the international lender for a new support program.

One killed in ship accident JAKARTA: A passenger ship carrying about 700 people ran aground off the coast of the eastern Indonesia islands of Maluku, leaving one person dead and 20 injured, a port official said Saturday. The MTB Express hit a coral reef near Argodang island in the southeast Maluku island chain Thursday night while it was traveling from the provincial capital of Ambon to Tual, said Rusli Barends, a Tual port official.

Rita fights against hidden crime T.Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Jakarta tabita@cbn.net.id A young woman tried to commit suicide by drinking insecticide. She forced her two children to swallow the agent because her husband was going to marry another woman. The youngest child, who was still a baby, died. But she and her eldest child survived. The desperate woman was tried at North Jakarta District Court and later sent to prison.

IMF inks final loan to Indonesia Agencies, Jakarta The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved on Friday a US$505 million loan to Indonesia, the final portion of the $5.3 billion support program devised after the 1997-1998 Asian economic crisis.

Prosecutors examine more accounts in BRI investigation Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta State prosecutors have been scrutinizing more accounts in other banks in their investigation into the fraud case involving state- owned Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), which caused Rp 294 billion (US$34.5 million) in losses.

Cafes, other nighspots have lots to offer to party goers Sudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Many entertainment venues in the city are gearing up for New Year's Eve celebrations, with several promising to surprise their patrons with a special twist or a little bit of "magic" in the air. "The program has already been conceptualized and we are now making preparations to ensure its success," said Hard Rock Cafe Jakarta's public relations executive Adhisty J. Rhidwan.

Quake hits Indonesia: Observatory HONG KONG: A strong earthquake has hit Indonesia's western island of Sumatra, the Hong Kong Observatory reported on Saturday. It was not immediately clear whether the quake caused any damage or casualties. The magnitude 5.5 tremor struck at 9:13 p.m. Hong Kong time (13:13 GMT) on Friday, said the observatory, which monitors earthquake activity in the region.

TV Program: Sunday, December 21, 2003 .TB.30" .90" TVRI 6:00 a.m. News: Berita Utama 7:00 Cartoon 8:00 TV Drama 9:00 Children's Program: Bando 11:00 Variety Show: Maskum Show 12:30 p.m. Music 1:00 News: Berita Siang 1:30 Documentary 2:00 TV Drama 2:30 English News Service 3:00 Music 3:30 News 4:00 Film 5:30 Traditional Comedy: Mustika Campur Sari 7:00 News 8:00 Music: Dansa Yo Dansa 9:00 News: Dunia Dalam Berita 9:30 Traditional Performance 10:30 Music 12:30 News TPI 6:00 a.m.

Fancy gingerbread ornaments for Christmas Maria Endah Hulupi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Decorating the Christmas tree before the special event has always been one of the most cherished holiday activities involving family members -- and brings them closer together. Creative ideas for ornamental objects to bring out the festive atmosphere can emerge from various sources, even from unusual ones like the kitchen -- no doubt one of the busiest spots in the house during this time of year.

Bali's poorest of the poor on road to better welfare Jacqueline Mackenzie, Contributor, Desa Ban, Bali Bali's tourism industry appears to be recovering, with holiday bookings looking promising. But while visitors enjoy the infinity pools and spa packages, they may not realize that they are just a hundred kilometers from one of the country's poorest communities. The people of Desa Ban, in the district of Kubu in Karangasem, East Bali, have an average income of Rp 500,000 a year.

Bollywood: Hindi films succeed in UK and U.S. Jessica Winter, Guardian News Service, London On a recent weeknight at the Harrow Warner Village movie theater in West London, the only film to sell out its screenings was also the only film without a promotional poster displayed outside the lobby. You may not have heard of it, but the Hindi musical melodrama Kal Ho Naa Ho, directed by Nikhil Advani, has nestled comfortably in the British box-office top 10 for two weeks now.

IMF approves final loan tranche to Indonesia Agencies Jakarta The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday approved a new US$505 million loan to Indonesia, the final portion of the $5.3 billion support program that the government called in after the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis. Indonesia has already decided not to ask the international lender for a new support program.

Singapore MP, RI maid pose nude SINGAPORE: A member of Singapore's parliament is under investigation by police after his wife complained to police about photographs she found of him at the couple's home of her husband and their Indonesian maid, both naked, it was reported on Saturday. Doreen Chia, 31, alleged that her husband Steve Chia, 34, had outraged the maid's modesty, The Straits Times said.

VP defends Minister of Religious Affairs Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra Vice President Hamzah Haz jumped to the defense of Minister of Religious Affairs Said Agiel Munawar, who has come under fire following the recent cancellation of the 2004 haj pilgrimage for 30,000 hopeful Indonesian Muslims. The pilgrimage was canceled, as the Saudi Arabian government rejected Jakarta's request for an additional pilgrimage quota.

Tips from a master makeup man As well as a biography and providing the recollections of his friends and family, Kevyn Aucoin: A Beautiful Life (available at Aksara bookstore in Kemang, South Jakarta) also provides a section of his tips. Here are a few of them. Avoiding cakey-looking makeup * Use creamy products (concealer, foundation, contouring stick, highlighting cream, cream blush, gel blush or liquid blush) first, followed by powder and/or powder blush.

Where to go in Jakarta: Sunday, December 21, 2003 Exhibitions * Painting Sentuhan Kepedulian Lingkungan Hidup by 100 female painters, InterContinental MidPlaza Jakarta, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 10 - 11, South Jakarta (Tel. 2510888), until Dec. 22. * Architecture Asia Architecture and Dutch Cultural Teaching and Planning Methodes, Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav S-3, Kuningan, South Jakarta (Tel. 5241069), until Dec. 31.