Readwrotes Blog

Antara | Fri, 08/14/2009 1:41 PM | National Two girls watch over as Navy personnel make preparations for a mass diving event in Malalayang, Manado, North Sulawesi. As many as 2,500 local and foreign divers will participate in an attempt to break the world record as the most participated mass diving and underwater ceremony on August 16 and 17. Antara/Prasetyo Utomo

Rizal Sukma , Jakarta | Tue, 08/11/2009 12:33 PM | Headlines The Temanggung saga, which ended with the death of a terrorist suspect believed to be Noordin M. Top, has shown once again the increasing ability of Indonesia's police force to combat terrorism. Combined with the shooting and capture of several other terrorist suspects in Jati Asih, Bekasi, it is clear the Indonesian police, especially the counterterror unit Detachment 88 (D88), deserve two thumbs up for its effort to eradicate threats. The police should not be deterred by pessimistic or cynical views in some circles among the elite and wider society. Since the Bali bombing in October 2002, the Indonesian Police have come a long way and today D88 is one of the most capable counterterrorism units in the world. Much has been achieved in the last seven years. Hundreds of suspected and convicted terrorists have been arrested and jailed in that period. We should not forget that one of the

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Fri, 08/14/2009 11:17 PM | National One of the country’s mainstream Islamic organizations, Muhammadiyah, has called on Muslims to consider the upcoming Ramadan fasting month as a momentum of national reconciliation. Muhammadiyah chairman Din Syamsuddin said the recent legislative and presidential elections had broken the hearts of many, leading to much conflict between groups and individuals, as well having dissected the nation by political affiliations. “People were divided by difference in political aspirations and they might be involved in conflicts. Now the time has come to rebuild the brotherhood,” Din told a media conference. He said Muhammadiyah encouraged Muslims and the whole nation to maintain solidarity and good relationships. To keep national unity intact the nation needs to promote tolerance, mutual help and cooperation, he added. Muhammadiyah also calls on preachers and clerics to underline the need f

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Fri, 08/14/2009 11:12 PM | National The Indonesian Human Rights Monitor, Imparsial, said the lack of recognition and protection was endangering human rights defenders in Indonesia. “Everyone in the legislative, executive, and judicial bodies have said over and over that they want to protect human rights,” said Poengky Indarti, Imparsial’s External Relations Director. “If that is true then they should first protect human rights defenders who have the same purpose as them.” Poengky said Indonesia has already ratified the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, which pronounces that the state would do its best to protect human rights and defenders of rights. The country has also shown improvement in human rights protection at the normative level, she added. “In the past five years the country has ratified many international human rights agreements,” Pongky said. (mrs)

Dicky Christanto , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Fri, 08/14/2009 11:06 PM | National Police have released Mohzahri from detention after failing to prove that he is involved in terrorist activities. Mohzahri is the owner of the house raided by the police counterterror squad in Temanggung, Central Java, last Friday and Saturday. “From our questioning we found that Mohzahri did not know the true identity of the person brought to his house by his nephews, Aris and Hendra,” National Police deputy chief spokesman Brig. Gen. Sulistyo Ishak told journalists Friday. “Thus we no longer have reason to detain him.” When asked whether the police would repair the damage they had caused to Mohzahri’s house during the raid, Sulistyo said they would consider it. Mohzahri’s isolated house in Beji village, Temanggung, is marked by bullet holes from the 17-hour siege.

By Kate Moody Mount Rainier, Maryland 22 July 2009 Since Michael Jackson's death in June, tributes to the pop singer have been coming in all shapes and forms. And his signature "Thriller" dance act has experienced a spike in popularity, with hundreds of fans signing up for the "Thrill The World" event this fall, a simultaneous performance of the dance by groups around the world. VOA visited Joe's Movement Emporium near Washington DC, where dozens of Jackson devotees attended a "Thriller" class to practice for the event. Dance students learn Michael Jackson's steps from the 'Thriller' video Michael Jackson's 1983 "Thriller" has been described as the most successful music video of all time. A quarter of a century after its release, the song, and its dance routine, still speak to music lovers worldwide. So when a student at Joe's Movement Empori

By VOA News 14 August 2009 Pakistani girls wave national flags as they sing national songs during the Independence Day ceremony celebrations at the mausoleum of the country's founder, Mohammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi 14 Aug 2009 Pakistani President Asif Zardari lifted a ban on political activities in the country's tribal regions Friday, as Pakistanis held celebrations marking the country's Independence Day. Pakistan's seven semi-autonomous tribal regions along the Afghan border have never been integrated into the country's political and administrative system, allowing militants and tribal elders to hold sway. The change is the first major break with the system Pakistan inherited from Britain, which ruled the region until the country gained independence in 1947. Police and security forces were on high alert during Independence Day celebrations across Pakistan to prevent militant groups from disrupting

By VOA News 14 August 2009 U.S. dollars U.S. consumer prices were unchanged in July and actually declined around two percent from the same time a year ago. Friday's Labor Department report shows inflation dropping at the sharpest rate in decades. Some analysts say these readings show inflation is tame for the time being, which will allow the U.S. central bank to keep interest rates at historic lows. The Federal Reserve lowers interest rates to bolster the economy, but raises them to fight inflation. Inflation is being kept in check by the worst slump in consumer spending since 1980, which reduces demand for goods and services and gives companies less power to raise prices. Consumer spending may not rebound soon, as a report Friday showed U.S. consumers growing more worried about the economy. Data from the University of Michigan shows consumers lost confidence because of concerns about unemployment and wages. Econo

By VOA News 14 August 2009 Volunteers help clean up a local residents home covered in mud from landslides brought by Typhoon Morakot in the village of Chishan, in Kaohsiung county, southern Taiwan, 14 Aug 2009 Taiwan's president says the death toll from flooding and mudslides triggered by Typhoon Morakot will likely exceed 500 people, in the worst storm to hit the island in 50 years. Ma Ying-jeou told aides at a national security meeting Friday that nearly 400 people were probably buried alive when a mudslide covered the village of Shiao Lin in southern Kaohsiung county. More than 100 people have been confirmed dead due to the disaster. Mr. Ma's government has been criticized for what many say was its slow response to the crisis. Thousands of villagers were trapped when floods and mudslides wiped out scores of bridges and roads after Morakot hit last week, dumping more than two meters of rainfall on the island

By VOA News 14 August 2009 Kashmiri protesters stomp on Indian national flag after burning it during celebrations marking Pakistani Independence Day, in Srinagar, 14 Aug 2009 Police fired teargas canisters to disperse a crowd of rowdy youths staging anti-India protests Friday in the capital of India-controlled Kashmir. Dozens of youths emerged from Srinagar's main mosque after Friday prayers, shooting firecrackers, burning an Indian flag and shouting pro-Pakistan chants. The demonstrators threw rocks at security forces before the gathering was broken up. Islamic separatists in Kashmir have been fighting to merge with Pakistan or to establish an independent homeland for two decades. Military officials say India's many states have been asked to bolster their security measures ahead of Independence Day celebrations on Saturday. Security officials in Srinagar say there will also be increased security at the stadium

By VOA News 14 August 2009 Senior Iranian hardline cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami delivers weekly Friday prayer sermon at Tehran University, 14 Aug 2009 A hard-line cleric in Iran is denouncing allegations that political protesters have been tortured to death while in prison. Senior Cleric Ahmad Khatami told worshippers during Friday prayers at Tehran University that the torture claims by an outspoken opposition leader and former parliament speaker, Mahdi Karroubi, have been a boost to Iran's enemies. He called for Karroubi to stand trial for the remarks. Karroubi released a statement Thursday that detailed the extreme punishments he says some prisoners have endured. He accused prison authorities of carrying out lethal beatings, rape and abuse. The allegations of abuse have angered Iran's hard-line conservative establishment, deepening political divisions with more moderate clergy members and politicians. More t