Foreign teams aid Iran quake rescuers Parisa Hafezi, Reuters, Bam, Iran International rescue workers were scouring flattened debris for survivors in Iran's shattered ancient Silk Road city of Bam on Saturday after a violent earthquake killed more than 20,000 people. U.S. President George W. Bush, who once branded Iran part of an "axis of evil" developing weapons of mass destruction, as well as other world leaders rushed to offer whatever help they could to the Islamic Republic.

Martha Tilaar brings 'jamu' to the world David Kennedy, Contributor, Jakarta, d_kenn@yahoo.com When Martha Tilaar reflects on the harm caused by the modern search for physical beauty, the 66-year-old queen of her own Indonesian spa and beauty empire seems particularly worried about the growth of cosmetic surgery. "If you start with one thing then you have to change everything. People are never satisfied," she told The Jakarta Post recently at her East Jakarta research center.

Auction house makes name for itself in S'pore Carla Bianpoen, Contributor, Singapore It seems that the Indonesian auction house Larasati is rapidly making an impression on the international art market in Singapore. In contrast to its first international auction in Singapore held six months earlier when Indonesian buyers prevailed, the second auction, held in early December, saw Singaporeans as the majority of the about 200 bidders.

Where to go in Jakarta: Sunday, December 28, 2003 Exhibitions * Photo: Fratelli Alinari Italy: The One and Only - a Century of Phtography 1900/2000, National Museum, Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat No. 12, Central Jakarta (Tel. 3812346, 3868172), Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., until Jan. 6. * Painting: Dari Abas sampai Dumas, Galeri Milenium, D'Best Shopping Center, Blok B-23, Jl. R.S. Fatmawati No. 15, South Jakarta (Tel. 7507828), until Jan. 31.

Indonesians celebrate Christmas far from home Prapti Widinugraheni, Contributor, Perth, Australia T'was two weeks before Christmas. Fairy lights adorn streets and houses, schools prepare end-of-year shows, holidays are planned and every commercial outlet promises the most spectacular Christmas event ever. It's the busiest time of year for everyone, but busiest of all are the shopping malls. It may be the time of year to be giving, but first comes the act of buying.

Two Thais among coalition troops slain in Iraq attacks Agencies Karbala, Iraq Armed with car bombs, mortars and machine guns, insurgents launched three coordinated attacks in the southern city of Karbala on Saturday, killing four coalition soldiers, six Iraqi police officers and one civilian, military and hospital officials said. Two Thai soldiers were among those killed, a Thai foreign ministry spokesman said.

Indonesians drown as ship sinks JAPAN: Four Indonesian sailors died and two were missing off the Japanese coast on Saturday after their boat sank in rough seas, the coast guard said. The Panamanian-registered Marina Iris sent a distress signal at around 1:40 a.m. off the coast of Mihama Town, about 500 kilometers west of Tokyo. The Japan Coast Guard found four of the crew and were continuing to search for the other two.

Two Thais among coalition troops slain in spate of Iraq attacks Agencies, Karbala, Iraq Armed with car bombs, mortars and machine guns, insurgents launched three coordinated attacks in the southern city of Karbala on Saturday, killing four coalition soldiers, six Iraqi police officers and one civilian, military and hospital officials said. Two Thai soldiers were among those killed, a Thai foreign ministry spokesman said.

Don't fall into the peril of 'pembantuism' Jaqueline Mackenzie, Contributor, Jakarta Leaving aside bombs and bad air, there are many things to love about being an expat mother and homemaker -- "housewife" if you must -- in Jakarta. Topping some expats' list is the opportunity to understand a bit about Indonesia, from the inside. For others it's great shopping or the massage chain Bersih Sehat.

Army vehicle rams minibus, kills 18 Slamet Susanto and Agus Maryono, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta/Purwokerto An armored military vehicle crashed into a public transportation minibus on Saturday in Temanggung regency in Central Java, killing 18 people and injuring seven others. Sixteen of the fatalities were passengers on the minibus and the driver, and the two others were military personnel.

Egyptian people trafficker jailed EGYPT: A Cairo court sentenced an Egyptian man to seven years in prison on Saturday for his role in the drowning of some 353 migrants on an overcrowded vessel in the Java Sea as they tried to reach Australia in 2001. The court found Mootaz Muhammad Hasan guilty of manslaughter on the grounds that the vessel was not seaworthy. Hasan, also known as Abu Quassey, was deported to Egypt from Indonesia this year after serving a six-month sentence for visa violations.

PDI-P submits list of legislative candidates Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) handed its list of legislative candidates to the General Elections Commission (KPU) on Saturday, becoming the first party to submit the names of its aspiring legislators for the 2004 general elections. The submission came just two days before the deadline lapses on Monday.

Fashion 2003: An elegant show of force from local designers Muara Bagdja, Contributor, Jakarta The past year gave reason for optimism in the fashion community. No fewer than 10 designers showed annual collections, a remarkable development since the monetary crisis hit the country in mid-1997. Each of the designers had their own particular market, and they put together innovative, quality shows, more evidence that the Indonesian fashion world has its dedicated followers.

Ban slapped on processed U.S. beef Fitri Wulandari and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta The government has banned the import of processed beef products from the United States indefinitely and instructed importers to withdraw the commodity from market shelves immediately to prevent mad cow disease from spreading to local cattle here.

Asian youths share thoughts on regional future Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Bangkok When the four Indonesian students concluded their shadow puppet play, the audience -- from several Asian countries -- in the ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel in Bangkok had just experienced a real taste of Indonesia. The four students had exhibited a portrayal of Sumatra's legendary tale of Malin Kundang, an ordinary man who was cursed into stone for his arrogance by his own mother.

Now Showing The Soul (Horror/Thriller, 90 minutes) Starring Marcella Zalianty, Iqbal M. Pakula, Ananda George, David Rene. Directed by Nayato Fionuala. Frustratingly ridiculous Indonesian horror flick which tries too hard to be stylish to make up for a pedestrian script. Get this: three young men are so horny they chase a nurse (Marcella) to her house and brutally rape her.