Turning the heat up with Manado spices JAKARTA (JP): If you like hot-and-spicy meals, you may want to include these popular recipes from Manado, North Sulawesi, on your menu. Rica-rica is easy to prepare and you can try another variation of Woku Belanga, called Waka, simply by wrapping the chicken pieces in waka leaves and steaming them for at least an hour until the meat is cooked and tender. Both meals are best served with warm rice.

Patients throng Alternative Healing House in Purworejo By Tarko Sudiarno and Nugroho CH PURWOREJO, Central Java (JP): A young lady from Jakarta was shocked when her doctor told her that the only way to save her life was to remove the tumor inside her womb. And that means the fetus she was carrying, which would be her first born, have to be "sacrificed". At the height of her despair, she visited Father Handoyo Lukman in Purworejo, Central Java.

China offers 'goodwill gesture' to Taiwan BEIJING (Reuters): China has made a "major goodwill gesture" to Taiwan by slightly softening its conditions for talks on establishing full trade and transport links across the Taiwan Strait, the official China Daily reported on Saturday.

RI women's shuttlers expected to survive early rounds JAKARTA (JP): Despite poor results last year, Indonesian women's shuttlers are expected to pass early round tests at the US$250,000 Korea Open starting on Wednesday in Cheju Island, South Korea. The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) chairman Subagyo Hadisiswoyo and coach Agus Dwi Santoso shared the same opinion on the women's singles slight chance at the Jan. 10 to Jan. 14 event.

Running a nightspot not all that easy JAKARTA (JP): Running a discotheque in a big city in Indonesia is definitely not as easy and smooth as operating a warung tegal, the very popular stalls offering a wide range of ready-to-eat food. Nightspot owners know exactly what the problems are. No, it's not about obtaining government permits, not even the capital required.

RP suspends peace efforts with rebels MANILA (AFP): Philippine President Joseph Estrada said Saturday the government would suspend peace efforts with Muslim rebels after police accused them of carrying out deadly bomb attacks in Manila a week ago. "For now, we'll suspend that. Anyway, it was not (fully) started yet so there'll be ongoing operations against the MILF (the Moro Islamic Liberation Front)," Estrada said, referring to moves to reopen peace talks with the separatist group.

Focusing on the vices and virtues of online gambling By Vishnu K. Mahmud JAKARTA (JP): Two years ago, the lights, audacity and pure tackiness of Las Vegas, gambling capital of the world, dazzled me. No where else can the Egyptian Pyramids blend so well with a castle from the Middle Ages, while on the other side of the road sits a giant replica of New York City complete with the Coney Island roller coaster.

Myriad of thrills for Jakarta's nightgoers JAKARTA (JP): As one of the world's megalopolitans, Jakarta has a lot to offer for who want to have some nighttime enjoyment. There are a variety of places for nightgoers, starting from traditional foods sold by street vendors to cafes, pubs and karaoke bars at star-rated hotels. Jakarta has been growing significantly compared to several decades ago. The city's embryo of nightlife was developed by Ali Sadikin, the capital's governor from 1966 to 1977.

TV today TVRI 5:00 a.m. Religious Teachings 6:00 News 8:00 Children's Program 9:00 Children's Film 9:30 Sports 11:00 Talk Show 12:00 p.m. Comedy 1:30 Film 3:00 News 3:30 Religious Teachings 4:00 Children's Program 5:00 TVRI News 6:00 Music 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 9:00 Music 10:00 Variety Show 11:00 Health Program Program 2 5:00 p.m. TVRI News 6:00 Music 7:00 Evening News 7:30 TV Drama 8:00 City News 8:30 Documentary TPI 5:30 a.m.

A look at some of the best and worst of TV in 2000 Picks and pans of TV in 2000 JAKARTA (JP): It's clear that sinetron, the local TV serials which have made stars of many who have little more than good looks on their list of credentials, are not going for the reality factor. This is demonstrated regularly, like when actress Inneke Koesharawaty is supposedly in the throes of childbirth in one role, but looks instead like she just emerged from a local beauty salon.

U.S., security and intelligence If anything, the change of administration from Bill Clinton to George W. Bush in the USA will bring about a change in U.S. defense policy and intelligence gathering on a global scale and Indonesia will surely be affected. One needs only to look at the replacement of Madeleine Albright as U.S. Secretary of State by Colin Powell, plus the fact that Indonesia and its surroundings are not the most stable area in Asia, as seen from the Pentagon's point of view.

Jakarta offers nighttime entertainment for all tastes By Mehru Jaffer JAKARTA (JP): Nothing seems easier in today's world of glamour and glitter than to amuse oneself. Cosmopolitan cities like Jakarta have become the center of gravity for millions of people, both for its unlimited economic opportunities and for the fun and games available to the prince as well as to the pauper here. Especially after dark.

Malay Muslim leaders rethink future SINGAPORE (AFP): Malay members of the Singapore parliament have unveiled the blueprint of a 10-year plan which they say will fit the Muslim community into the city-state's high-tech drive into the new economy. But while the aim is to keep pace with the rest of Singapore and the world, it would not be at the expense of "our faith and ethnicity," Muslim Affairs Minister Abdullah Tarmugi said.

Are there risks in using MSG? By Tri Hafiningsih and Bruce Emond JAKARTA (JP): It takes only a matter of minutes for "Shelly" to know that something she has eaten contains monosodium glutamate (MSG). The 40-something Australian expatriate will suddenly develop a splitting headache, which often lasts for hours, and feel her heart racing.

On the record Album: The Beatles 1 (PT. EMI Indonesia/2000); Artist: The Beatles Thirty years have passed since one of the most successful and influential bands on the planet, The Beatles, announced they were splitting up. Dozens of remakes and compilations of their albums have been produced. Now, three decades later, another Beatles album compilation, simply titled 1, has been released. The album comprises 27 number one singles in either Britain or the United States.

F.X. Sutono, fairway snake catcher from Semarang By Tarko Sudiarno and Nugroho CH SEMARANG, Central Java (JP): What is likely to happen to a golf player who is busy playing his sport when all of a sudden a snake slithers towards him? He will no doubt be disturbed and no longer enjoy the game, and the golf course management are sure to lose some credibility. Of course, golf course entrepreneurs do not want such incidents occurring.

Where to go in Jakarta: Exhibitions * Photo: A Letter from the Ocean by Mosista Pambudi at Galeri Foto Jurnalistik Antara, Jl. Antara No. 59 Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta (Phone: 3458771), until Jan. 24. * Painting Flying Horizon by Teguh Ostenrik, Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav S-3, Kuningan, South Jakarta (Phone: 5241069), until Jan. 13. * Photo: Yang Terlupakan by students of SMU Tarakanita 1, Galeri Foto Cahya, Wisma Surya Kemang, Jl. Kemang Raya no. 33, South Jakarta, until Jan. 8.

Informative book on Indonesian law reform INDONESIA: Bankruptcy, Law Reform & the Commercial Court 2000; Timothy Lindsey, Editor; Published by Desert Pea Press, Sydney, 2000; Paperback, 314 pages MELBOURNE (JP): Imagine a scene unraveling before you. The setting is a country in the midst of economic crisis where the government cannot seem to do anything right. Enters unannounced, a foreign government representative who promptly produces a set of demands.

Indonesian student wins Young Inventors Award By Dewi Anggraeni MELBOURNE, Australia (JP): Many Indonesians believe that, if a certain fortune has been "assigned" to you, no matter what happens, it will eventually be yours. What happened to an Indonesian Ph.D student, Mulyoto Pangestu, in December 2000, seems to reinforce this notion.

Surakarta's Triwindu market offers antiques and much more By Sulistyo Budi and Singgir Kartana SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): As a tourist destination, Surakarta has yet to gain the fame of nearby Yogyakarta or Bali. It is no reflection of its charms; in addition to its palaces, batik and regular traditional art events, the city of Bengawan Solo river boasts the attraction of Pasar Triwindu antiques market.

Police arrest Tommy's private bodyguard JAKARTA (JP): The City Police arrested on Saturday the private bodyguard of fugitive Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra over the illegal possession of a weapon. The arrest followed a pre-dawn raid on the luxurious house of the bodyguard, identified as Indra Hasan, in the Bina Lindung area of Jatiwaringin, in Pondok Gede, Bekasi, West Java, some 20 kilometers southeast of Jakarta. "Indra was arrested at about 3 a.m. on Saturday at his home.

Police arrest six Ajinomoto top officials JAKARTA (JP): Police have arrested six top officials of PT Ajinomoto Indonesia in Surabaya and Jakarta over the use of pig enzymes in its monosodium glutamate (MSG) product. Two of them, general manager Cokorda Bagus Sudarta, and senior manager Yusi R.

U.S. music group The Temptations still going strong By Maria Endah Hulupi JAKARTA (JP): As 2000 drew to a close, an eager crowd filled the ballroom of the Hotel Mulia Senayan in Central Jakarta, where they were entertained with a captivating performance by The Temptations. Yes, The Temptations, who were in town for a New Year's Eve concert. In its current form, the group consists of Otis Robert Harris Jr., Ralph Leonard Mitchell Jr., Robert William Carter, Kevin Earl Chatman and Lacey Robinson.

Places that might stir you in Surakarta SURAKARTA, Central Java (JP): Surakarta, or Solo, is known as a city that never sleeps -- something always seems to be happening around the clock. Here are some of the places to be found in this center of Javanese culture with something to offer visitors from near and far. Keraton Surakarta: The local palace which was built in 1745 by Pakubuwono II after being relocated from Kartasura in Sala village.

Just give me back my Jakarta! JAKARTA (JP): When Art Buchwald, a Californian, went to the pollution-free area of Colorado, he felt miserable. He had been so used to breathing the smoke and fog in his over-crowded city that he could not stand the fresh mountain air. To ease his misery, the host brought an old vehicle with foul exhaust fumes for him to breathe. That helped, but still, he was uncomfortable with the clear blue sky. He needed to get back to his smoggy city!

Brunei an unspoilt, exotic paradise for royal watchers By Andreas Heimann BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (DPA): Many people associate Brunei with Arabian deserts, camels and sheikhs yet this tiny state is not part of the Arabian Peninsula, it is in southeast Asia, in northern Borneo. The error is still understandable though since Brunei Darussalam, as the state is officially called, is a sultanate and it is thoroughly Islamic. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the ruler of Brunei, takes religion very seriously.