Foreign and local tourists flock back to Bali island Rita A.Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar The number of foreign tourists visiting Bali has continued to increase over the past few months, thanks to the improved security situation. The deadly terrorist attack that hit the resort island in October, 2002, scared away not only foreign tourists, but also local visitors. The number of foreign tourists started to increase in January this year, and continued to rise in the following months.

Conflict reignites in Mamasa The Jakarta Post, Jakarta After a year of relative peace, a violent communal conflict erupted again on Saturday in Aralle district, Mamasa regency, West Sulawesi province, leaving scores of homes and a church burned. No fatalities were reported, Antara news agency reported.

Glazer increases United stake LONDON: Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Malcolm Glazer upped his stake in Manchester United by 30 percent on Friday, meaning he now owns more than a quarter of the world's richest soccer club. The dramatic move came just hours after Manchester United confirmed for the first time that Glazer had made a preliminary approach to take over the franchise.

Singing praises of 'nasheed' Maya Agustiana and Santi W.E. Soekanto, Contributors, Jakarta It's become the seasonal thing to do for television stations to welcome the holy month of Ramadhan by creating "Islamic" programs, including draping jilbab (heads carves) on entertainers, who usually go around skimpily dressed, so they look the part to host the religious talk shows.

Young designers must take own lead Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta There were no half-baked materials, nor the oversensational designs cringingly typical of green designers at last week's Mercedes Benz Asia Fashion Award (MBAFA) Indonesia 2004. The five-year professional experience requirement for applicants made sure the fashion police did not have to take care of the above violations.

Hotline for drug counseling launched Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta "Are you on drugs again?" the question from Erick's parents came crashing down; their words loaded with worry and suspicion. The 24-year-old former drug addict groaned and tried to explain that he just needed to talk to get rid of the craving for drugs he was feeling. "Sometimes, I can't talk to my parents or close friends when I am craving," Erick told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.

Buying hotel rooms over the Internet Sudibyo M. Wiradji, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Most Indonesians booking a hotel room for business or pleasure prefer to do so over the phone. But, in fact, people are now able to make reservations over the Internet, popularly known as online booking. Online booking offers benefits that customers cannot enjoy when making reservations by other means, such as phone, fax or email.

Mega to give SBY inauguration a miss Fabiola Desy Unidjadja and Muninggar Sri Saraswati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta While leaders of neighboring countries are confirmed to attend Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's inauguration, outgoing President Megawati Soekarnoputri has decided to stay away.

Website, Dudi: Tolong pakai ini Hairstylist Peter a hands-on leader =========================================================== STANDFIRST: When it comes to defining a horrible hairdo, it's rather like the standard definition of pornography: You know it when you see it. Peter F. Saerang, the man called upon to tease the most recalcitrant locks into tip-top shape and help out the follicley challenged, is a firm believer in taking care of matters personally.

Blitar: A charming town of temples and tradition Elvera N. Makki, Contributor, Blitar, East Java Blitar is not just a historical footnote as the ancestral home and burial place of Sukarno. Thankfully bypassed by the rapid, unchecked development of other places in East Java, the tranquil area boasts a refreshing small town charm and the most outstanding Hindu temple in the province. The elderly man prostrated himself in front of the short, ornately decorated fence surrounding the tomb.

Blitar, a charming town of temples and tombs Elvera N. Makki Contributor/Blitar, East Java ----------------------------------------------------- Blitar is not just a historical footnote as the ancestral home and burial place of Sukarno. Thankfully bypassed by the rapid, unchecked development of other places in East Java, the tranquil area boasts a refreshing small town charm and the most outstanding Hindu temple in East Java.

TV Program: Sunday, October 17, 2004 .TB.30" .90" TVRI 6:00 a.m. Morning News 7:00 Documentary 7:30 Children Show 9:00 Music: Delta 10:30 Sports: Antar Gelanggang 11:00 TV Drama 12:30 p.m. English for Fun 1:00 News: Berita Siang 2:00 Soccer 3:30 Music: Keroncong 4:30 Documentary 5:00 Robocon 6:30 Documentary 7:00 News: Berita Nasional 7:30 Music 8:00 Soccer 10:00 Music 10:30 News: Dunia Dalam Berita TPI 5:30 a.m.

Onetime office building adopts the mall trend Narada Krisnaputra, Contributor, Jakarta Times change, and so do tastes in retail therapy. One of South Jakarta's most venerable office buildings has undergone a major revamping to offer a great escape for local residents and office workers. It's Monday, and your boss has not shown up at the office.

Tension high in Papua village INDONESIA: The situation in Tinggi Nambut village, Puncak Jaya regency remained tense on Friday, following the murder of five construction workers, all migrants from Makassar, South Sulawesi province earlier on Tuesday.

Stop terrorism, please! T. Sima Gunawan, Contributor, Jakarta Stop terrorism. That is the call of most people, including hoteliers, as they are all fed up with terrorist attacks that bring pain and misery to many. After the prolonged crisis that struck Indonesia in 1997, the country again received another blow with the Bali bombings in 2002. The tragedy that killed 202 people, mostly foreign tourists, shocked the whole world and almost paralyzed the tourist industry.

Artists talking shop A robot-shaped installation work with a shopping trolley or big posters along Yogyakarta's main streets scream a single message: No more shopping malls. As the Yogyakarta administration discloses a plan to build more shopping malls to lure investment, activists and artists are stating their dissenting opinion their own way.

RI maid jailed for faking robbery SINGAPORE: An Indonesian maid has been sentenced to more than nine months in jail in Singapore for theft after she faked a robbery at her employer's home, where she was found bound, gagged and in her underwear, a news report said. The 22-year-old woman, identified only as Tutik, also falsely claimed she'd been raped, The Straits Times newspaper said on Saturday.

On the record: Joy Tobing Artist : Joy Tobing Album : Terima Kasih (BMG Indonesia) Somebody should really do the right thing and rescue the unwitting finalists of the star search shows. Cash cows for some mighty greedy folks, they are herded together and stretched to the scheduling limit (concert tours, TV sitcoms, albums), without getting the chance to hone their individual talent.

Organic store gives freedom of healthier choices Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Everybody wants to eat healthier, but temptation seemingly lies at every corner while healthful food is harder to come by. Hey, farmer farmer, put away that DDT now/Give me spots on my apples/But leave me the birds and the bees, please! There is no better theme song to accompany a meal at Healthy Choice health store and restaurant than Joni Mitchell's Big Yellow Taxi.

Haze disrupts flights in Central Kalimantan The Jakarta Post, Jakarta Thick haze began disrupting flights in Central Kalimantan province on Saturday, with an airplane from PT Dirgantara Air Service (DAS) reportedly rerouted after it was unable to land at Beringin Airport, North Barito regency, due to dangerous visibility levels. Meanwhile, thick haze also was still blanketing other areas in Kalimantan and Sumatra islands, disrupting schools and forcing local residents to stay at home.

Artists talking shop A robot-shaped installation work with a shopping trolley or big posters along Yogyakarta's main streets scream a single message: No more shopping malls. As the Yogyakarta administration discloses a plan to build more shopping malls to lure investment, activists and artists are stating their dissenting opinion their own way.

Blitar, a charming town of temples and tombs Elvera N. Makki Contributor/Blitar, East Java ----------------------------------------------------- Blitar is not just a historical footnote as the ancestral home and burial place of Sukarno. Thankfully bypassed by the rapid, unchecked development of other places in East Java, the tranquil area boasts a refreshing small town charm and the most outstanding Hindu temple in East Java.

Cabinet search heats up Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Bogor President-elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono interviewed economists, businesspeople and incumbent Cabinet ministers on Saturday as he beefed up the search for suitable candidates to join his Cabinet.

If you go ... Getting there: Blitar can be reached by air from Jakarta to Surabaya, followed by a drive of up to five hours to the town, home to about 150,000 people (the regency has a total population of more than 1 million). Accommodation: The town has a range of budget hotels, but Sri Lestari is the best for a traditional stay experience. Find out more at www.tuguhotels.com.

Hairstylist Peter a hands-on leader Narada Krisnaputra, Contributor, Jakarta When it comes to defining a horrible hairdo, it's rather like the standard definition of pornography: You know it when you see it. Peter F. Saerang, the man called upon to tease the most recalcitrant locks into tip-top shape and help out the follically challenge, is a firm believer in taking care of matters personally.

Where to draw the line in the quest for beauty? Obesity is probably the only American trait that is not pervading beautiful Indonesia. In fact, women just get slimmer and slimmer every day -- it seems to be a national obsession. Step into any of the new, trendy gyms sprouting up across the city, and you will see women of all ages going at treadmills or grooving at aerobics classes with fervor similar to hound dogs when exposed to fresh meat. All in the name of good health?

Search goes on for Cabinet choices Tiarma Siboro The Jakarta Post/Bogor President-elect Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono interviewed economists, businesspeople and incumbent Cabinet ministers on Saturday as he beefed up the search for suitable candidates to join his Cabinet.