Readwrotes Blog

Dicky Christanto , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sat, 07/18/2009 1:52 PM | National Bombs that went off at two luxurious hotels in Kuningan, Central Jakarta, were made of black powder, a low explosive material, National Police chief spokesman Insp. Gen. Nanan Soekarna said Friday. Nanan rectified early information saying the bombs that rocked JW Marriot and Ritz Carlton hotels contained high explosive materials. "Earlier statements on the bomb were made after examining the physical conditions. It was before we examined the field and the bomb," he told a press conference. "After thorough forensic examination, we found that the bombs were made from low explosives." In addition to explosive residue, Nanan said police had also managed to study the bomb materials from a bomb found in a laptop case at room No. 1808 of the Ritz Carlton Hotel. "We find that the bomb in the room is similar with those used to blast the...

Dian Kuswandini , The Jakarta Post , JAKARTA | Sat, 07/18/2009 1:13 PM | Lifestyle Wet terrarium (flickr.com) There is something about nature that brightens up our lives, and with a terrarium — a miniature garden in a glass — you can bring nature into your home or office. Aquariums have long been a feature in many homes, bringing a sense of serenity to go with the aesthetic pleasure. And what aquariums are to water, terrariums are to earth, now making their way into many homes as more and more people embrace the “go green” concept and seek to get a little closer to nature. Gardening is popular as a creative and relaxing pursuit — and a miniature garden is not different. If the weather isn’t right for gardening, or you simply have no space, a terrarium gives you the chance to indulge your green thumb and bring a touch of nature into your life. “If you love gardening but don’t have a lot of time or the space for an outdoor garden, a ter...

By VOA News 23 July 2009 President Obama speaks at White House news conference, 22 Jul 2009 President Barack Obama took his push for health care reform to the American people Wednesday night, appearing in a televised news conference largely devoted to reforming the health care sector. Mr. Obama said he is confident Congress this year will pass health care reform that lowers costs, promotes choice and provides Americans coverage they can depend on. He said 47 million Americans have no insurance. He said he would oppose legislation that is primarily funded by taxing middle-class families, or a bill that adds to the U.S. deficit. He said estimates show that two-thirds of the cost of health care reform can be paid for by reallocating wasteful spending in federal health care programs. Republicans, who are in the minority in Congress, agree that health care costs are too high, but they say the proposed changes will c...

By VOA News 22 July 2009 Iraqi police say unidentified gunmen killed five Iranian pilgrims and wounded more than 30 others Wednesday as they journeyed to Shi'ite holy sites in Iraq. Police said gunmen opened fire on buses traveling near the city of Baquba, on a highway that connects Iran to Baghdad. Iranian state-run media put the death toll higher, with six dead in the attack. Iranian media also report an Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Hassan Qashqavi, condemned the violence, which he said stems from the presence of foreign troops in Iraq. He also criticized Baghdad for not ensuring the safety of Iranian nationals. Iraqi Interior Ministry forces have been protecting pilgrim buses after an April attack at a roadside restaurant killed 57 people. Most of those victims were Iranian pilgrims. In other violence, the U.S. military Wednesday said U.S. troops killed two insurgents when they attacked a military convoy w...

By Katie Hamann Jakarta 22 July 2009 Indonesian business leaders remain upbeat about the country's economy despite the recent suicide bomb attacks at two luxury hotels in the capital Jakarta. Business analysts say investor confidence in the country remains high. Tourist operators are also optimistic, saying cancellations have been limited. The chairman of Indonesia's Chamber of Commerce, M.S. Hidayat, says while the Indonesia stock market and the rupiah fell moderately the day of the bombings, they have since recovered. Hidayat describes the economic damage from last Friday's bombs as "minor turbulence." Security guards man a gate outside the bombed Ritz-Carlton hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia, 22 Jul 2009 Two suicide bombers killed seven people and injured more than 50 at the J.W. Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels. Both are Western-owned chains popular with foreign travelers and Indonesian b...

By Paula Wolfson White House 22 July 2009 President Barack Obama (r) and Iraqi PM Nouri al-Maliki make joint statements to the press at the White House, 22 Jul 2009 U.S. President Barack Obama says the United States is on track to remove all of its troops from Iraq by the end of 2011. But he notes that difficult times lie ahead. Mr. Obama spoke after talks at the White House with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. President Obama said the United States is in the midst of a full transition in its relations with Iraq. He said that as American forces are withdrawn, the two countries are forging a new relationship built on far more than security concerns. But Mr. Obama warned there will be "tough days" ahead - noting that while violence is down in Iraq, there are still those who want to sabotage the progress already made. "There will be attacks on Iraqi security forces and the American troops ...

By VOA News 23 July 2009 Ousted President Manuel Zelaya (file photo) The chief mediator in the Honduras crisis talks is proposing that ousted President Manuel Zelaya return to the Central American nation as its leader by Friday. Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, who has been trying to narrow the differences between Mr. Zelaya and the forces that ousted him nearly a month ago, said the president's return to Tegucigalpa would be one part of a new 11-point plan he has sent to both sides. The interim government in Honduras, led by Roberto Micheletti, has previously rejected any possibility of Mr. Zelaya's return to power. However, news reports late Wednesday, by Reuters, indicate the caretaker administration will send the Arias proposal to Congress and the judiciary for review. There was no immediate comment by Mr. Zelaya's representatives. The Costa Rican president's announcement of a new plan fo...

By VOA News 22 July 2009 File photo of Pakistan's former President Pervez Musharraf talking to the media in Islamabad Pakistan's top court is asking former President Pervez Musharraf to explain his 2007 decision to impose emergency rule and fire several independent-minded judges. The 14-member Supreme Court panel, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, is calling for Mr. Musharraf to appear in person or through counsel on July 29. Petitions have been filed challenging Mr. Musharraf's decision to declare a state of emergency, suspend the constitution and dismiss several top judges in November 2007, weeks after a controversial presidential election. In other news, the Pakistani military said troops killed 27 militants during ongoing operations against Taliban fighters in the northwest over the past 24 hours. Several militants died after jets pounded suspected hideouts of Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud in ...

By Julia Ritchey London 22 July 2009 British Prime Minister Gordon Brown holding a news conference in London, 22 Jul 2009 British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says he believes his government's mission in Afghanistan will succeed. Mr. Brown has been on the defensive amid a growing political debate at home over the rising death toll among British soldiers on the front lines. Speaking at a news conference, Prime Minister Gordon Brown praised the sacrifice of the British armed forces. It has been a sobering time for his government as 18 soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan this month. But Mr. Brown moved swiftly to reject criticism that British forces lack the necessary equipment to protect them in their operations against insurgents. "I am satisfied that Operation Panther's Claw has the resources it needs to be successful," said Gordon Brown. "And I think that the fact it is making prog...