The salsa and STIX -- An unabashed nightspot reviewBy David M. Schiller JAKARTA (JP): Just as the United States Senate last week took an oath of impartiality prior to starting the impeachment hearings of President Clinton, I also took an oath of honesty prior to penning this review of a Saturday ...

More ...

---

Questioning the business of Indonesian military Bila ABRI Berbisnis (When the Armed Forces Goes Into Business); Indria Samego et al.; Mizan, Bandung, 1998; 220 pages; Rp 17,600.

More ...

---

Scalpers, higher fares give travelers 'annual' headacheBy I. Christianto JAKARTA (JP): Every year the government allows bus operators to impose a surcharge on passengers which locals call tuslah during the Muslim Idul Fitri holidays.

More ...

---

Pick of the FlicksHollywood KC: Ants 14:15 16:55 19:05 21:15 Strike 14:55 17:35 19:45 21:55 Grid Runners 13:00 15:15 17:30 19:45 Best Men 14:55 17:35 19:45 21:55 Rush Hour 14:15 16:55 19:05 ...

More ...

---

Who can stop people from 'mudik' for Idul Fitri holiday? JAKARTA (JP): It may have officials throwing up in their hands in frustration, but the annual exodus to hometowns for the Idul Fitri celebration is a hard-earned right which cannot be denied.

More ...

---

Exodus continue as Idul Fitri nears JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of people crowded around for hours at the city's major terminals on Saturday because of the lack of buses to transport them to their hometowns for the Idul Fitri celebrations.

More ...

---

Crisis fail to take away joy of 'Lebaran'By Juliane Gunardono JAKARTA (JP): Teo could not stop smiling as he sat in his seat on the train from Senen to Semarang. "I'm going home!" he said laughing. "I am going to be with my family for Idul Fitri".It was a smile of joy and relief.

More ...

---

Ramadhan time for JakartaSundayMaghrib 6:18 p.m.MondayImsak 4:18 a.m.Subuh 4.28 a.m.Maghrib 6:18 p.m.

More ...

---

Reopened pulp mill: Continuing political problems PORSEA, North Sumatra (JP): What seems good to some is often bad for others. And that is exactly the case with the Indorayon pulp and rayon mill here."We have suffered much because of Indorayon.

More ...

---

Michael pushes pop music limits in new album JAKARTA (JP): It would have been easy to dismiss George Michael some 13 years ago when he first strutted out in Wham with his partner Andrew Ridgley.Just another pretty boy singing paper weight bubble gum pop music.

More ...

---

Celebrating Idul Fitri amid crisisBy Rita A. Widiadana The Muslim holidays Idul Fitri, which are only two days away, will be somewhat "special" in that they will be celebrated amid a sinking economy.

More ...

---

SpotlightPhoto A: BuddhistJP/alxCAUSE FOR CONCERN: Buddhist monk Te Min (right) from Buddha Tzu Chi Indonesia Foundation presents basic commodities to residents of Kedaung Kali Angke, West Jakarta.

More ...

---

Five soldiers on trial over Aceh killings JAKARTA (JP): Five soldiers, including an Army major, appeared in a military court in Banda Aceh on Saturday, charged with assault and battery in the deaths of four Acehnese and the injury of dozens of others in police detention last week.Maj.

More ...

---

TV todayTVRI 6:00 a.m. News: Sari Berita Sepekan 7:00 Morning Focus 7:15 Healthy and Fresh 7:00 Religious Teachings: Hikmah Pagi 7:30 Children's Program: Arena 123 8:00 Children's Program: Kumbang and Family 8:30 Children's Program: Nuansa Anak 9:30 Creative Program: Widya Wahana ...

More ...

---

Lifting the mask on Indramayu dance legendBy YR Prahista BANDUNG (JP): It is rare for people to fiercely defend their principles, especially when it is not financially rewarding. But Rasinah, one of the oldest mask dancers in Indramayu, West Java, counts among the exceptions.

More ...

---

Crisis a bar to annual family reunionsBy Rita A. Widiadana JAKARTA (JP): Like most migrants, Sumirah, a traditional herbal medicine vendor, dreamed of going home for the Idul Fitri holiday this year.

More ...

---

1999 The night train has just passedpulling jam-packed carsit writes down a gloomy paston murky and grimy pages this long journey is full of tearstelling a story of a gloomy stateit is written on a wounded heartwhich has been pierced by a brother's blade it is a story of painful agonythat was ...

More ...

---

Slimmer pickings this RamadhanBy Stevie Emilia JAKARTA (JP): It's a tradition for Muslims to break their fast at dusk with sweet drinks or snacks before getting into their main meals.

More ...

---

Something old, something new... JAKARTA (JP): When Ani wanted to borrow a hundred thousand rupiah from me and I only gave her half the sum, she was visibly disappointed.

More ...

---

Sukarso sculpts head turners from dry, barren coconutsBy Agus Maryono and Ngudi Utomo PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): Plant diseases and other scourges can rob coconuts of juice and their flesh, the solid white lining of the inner shell.

More ...

---