Kuei works towards concert hall dream JAKARTA (JP): Independence Day is still a month away, but activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of independence have been going on for months.

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Present TenseBy Dewi Anggraeni I put the phone down distractedly, drifting into semi consciousness, dulling the pain. I feel somehow detached from my body. I know I can't get to the class until it passes, so I just wait in helplessness."It is a very interesting story, but...".

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Museum of Counterfeits in Paris alerts visitorsBy Kunang Helmi-Picard PARIS (JP): Visitors to the small, but highly interesting Museum of Counterfeits in Paris are at first amused by the 300 fakes on display, but when they reach the counterfeit motor parts and it dawns on them that they could die ...

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Alcohol harder on women's hearts, researchers say CHICAGO (UPI): A woman's heart is more sensitive to alcohol than a man's heart, researchers say.In a study of alcoholics, researchers found women who consumed just 60 percent of the alcohol that men drank had the same level of heart muscle damage.

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Will militant violence turn Mindanao into new Bosnia? Will a wave of violence from Muslim militants turn Mindanao into another Bosnia? Federico V. Magdalena tries to answer this question. Recent events in the Philippines, as elsewhere, seem to suggest a growing trend towards Islamic militancy.

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Guess What? B.J. Habibie Being a top government official in charge of technology development in Indonesia does not prevent research and technology minister B.J. Habibie from reading numerous and various kinds of books.

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Guess What? Tubagus Bachtiar Rifai A parent's love sometimes unintentionally brings trouble to their children, but noted agriculture expert Tubagus Bachtiar Rifai never thought it would lead to the extreme: Crocodiles.

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Muhammadiyah gives Moslems identityBy Santi W.E. Soekanto and Wisnu Pramudya BANDA ACEH, Aceh (JP): It may sound irrational, but some of the 40,000 Muhammadiyah supporters who flocked here for the organization's congress last week were farmers and small traders who spent all their money just to ...

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How relevant Indonesian architectural authenticity is?By Gunawan Tjahjono JAKARTA (JP): Architecture reveals its makers' values and represents many aspects of a culture, but it does not always present an accurate picture of a society.

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Nostalgia comes alive at the Classic Rock StageBy Meidyatama Suryodiningrat JAKARTA (JP): Despite the hordes of clubs and pubs in Jakarta, one can often not help but feel subjected to a certain uniformity in atmosphere.

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Vietnam forging economic 'third way' Carolyn L. Gates looks at how the Vietnamese leadership is forging a certain policy path in its efforts at economic transformation.

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SOS for Gembira Loka Zoo A few of my Indonesian friends took me to the Gembira Loka Zoo in Yogyakarta recently. What I anticipated to be an enjoyable trip to the zoo turned out to be a shocking showcase of how cruel animals are being treated in Indonesian zoos.

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High-tech mass media has idolatrous effect in IndonesiaBy Limas Sutanto MALANG, East Java (JP): The magical influence of popular entertainment figures on their fans is obvious in Indonesia.

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Prostitution increasingly lucrative in IndonesiaBy R. Fadjri YOGYAKARTA (JP): One of the oldest professions, prostitution, continues to grow in Indonesia and there seems no way to stop the business or reduce the number of sex workers.

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TV todayTVRI 7:00 a.m. Morning News 7:30 Healthy and Fresh with Berty Tilarso 7:40 Cartoon: Vicky The Viking 8:05 Culture Program 8:35 Children's Stories 9:00 People and Events 9:30 Comedy: Ria Jenaka 9:45 Music 10:45 Youth Program 11:15 Music 11:45 Sports: Dari Gelanggang Ke ...

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Retailers plan big 'Independence' sales JAKARTA (JP): Attention shoppers. What is being billed as one of the biggest sales ever held in Indonesia will happen Aug. 5.The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), the event organizer, guarantees that it will be a genuine sale.

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The overseas phenomenon of Chinese management Some of the world's wealthiest individuals are ethnic Chinese, but so few have become truly world class industrialists. Anthony Ko investigates the issue. It is widely acknowledged that East Asia is an economic power house.

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Artist spices up traditional cuisine JAKARTA (JP): Potter F. Widayanto is not only known for his creative clay work but also for his culinary skill.

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Indonesian comics: On the way out?By Rita A. Widiadana Despite worldwide comic mania, the 40-year-old Indonesian comic industry is in ruins. A lack of top level drawing skills, fresh ideas and professionalism have contributed to the collapse of the industry.

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Comics, novels available for rent JAKARTA (JP): Book rental shops are a boon for Indonesians who can't afford their favorite comics or novels.They can be found in small towns as well as big cities like Jakarta.

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Technology makes us less observantBy Amir Sidharta JAKARTA (JP): Tourist attractions are dominated by tourists with video cameras glued to one eye. They are obsessed with the idea that they have to document every event they see. But wait a minute.

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Balinese women climb business ladder to successBy Dini S. Djalal Ubud, Bali (JP): It must be a common mistake made by many. When first I saw the sign for Warung Made, Kuta's famed restaurant, I immediately assumed that Made was a man.

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Ardy, Susi on track for Indonesia Open titles JAKARTA (JP): Ardy Wiranata and Susi Susanti came closer to retaining their titles as the host players underlined their domination of the Indonesia Open badminton championships yesterday.

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Communication is the cornerstone of a functional family JAKARTA (JP): Rapport can be said to be the mutual ability get along, or, perhaps, the intangible bond born of sharing pleasant vibes.

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R.A. Kosasih: Pioneer of Indonesian comicsBy T. Sima Gunawan JAKARTA (JP): The pioneer of Indonesian comics, R.A. Kosasih, will never forget the golden age of local comic books three decades ago."Thousands copies of my books were sold every week," the 76- year-old artist recalled.

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Indonesian catching on in AustraliaBy Dewi Anggraeni MELBOURNE (JP): In 1956, teaching of Bahasa Indonesia began in Australian universities. Looking back now, it seemed simple and straightforward. The students learned grammar, structure and translation, lesson in, lesson out.

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Nasim wins Jakarta Circuit JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia's top professional golfer, Maan Nasim, vaulted to the lead after posting a seven-under-par total of 281 in the first round of the Rp 40 million (US$17,769) Jakarta Circuit 1995 on Friday.

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Life in the fast country Have you ever noticed how fast-moving Indonesians are nowadays? Sure you have. But have you considered that their desire to be fast, faster and much faster may be the strongest among nations of the world today?Just look at the classic example of driving Jakarta style.

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Bali needs to protect architectural treasuresBy Jean Couteau DENPASAR (JP): One of the most fascinating aspects of Bali, if too often ignored by the tourism industry, is the extraordinary order of its traditional human environment.

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A paradise for true nature loversBy Carl Chairul PELANG, East Java (JP): "What took me so long to find this place?" a nature lover might wonder upon visiting the beautiful, unspoiled beach of Pelang.

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