| top news | The World Waits on US Debt Crisis Talks Washington. A looming debt default faced by the United States reached crisis point on Thursday as President Barack Obama demanded a solution within two days and Moody's warned that the country could lose its top credit rating after 90 years. | 12:21 AM July 15, 2011  President Barack Obama has called a fifth day of talks with congressional leaders on the US debt | | Finally, Hollywood Movies May Soon Be Back on Screen In the clearest sign of hope yet, Indonesian officials signaled on Thursday that Hollywood blockbusters — including the last Harry Potter film — could be back on screens within a fortnight. Elisabeth Oktofani & Dion Bisara | 12:42 AM July 15, 2011 In Today's Newspaper Exclusive: Ministers Lied to Conceal Slow Progress, Source Says Every few months it seems President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono gathers his ministers to harangue them over their poor performance and the sluggish implementation of action plans. Seemingly eager to avoid further wrath, in 2010 some members of the cabinet struck upon a novel solution: lie about their progress. Pick up your copy of the Globe to read the claims by a presidential insider in our exclusive report today. Or subscribe to receive the paper every day.
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| | business | Private Vehicle Premium Ban May Start in September The government may prevent private vehicles from using Premium, the low-octane subsidized gasoline, in an effort to curb the surging costs of fuel subsidies. Ririn Radiawati Kusuma | 10:49 PM July 14, 2011  'Out of Premium' reads a sign at a gas station in Jakarta, reflecting strong demand. The government is considering preventing private vehicles from using Premium, the low-octane subsidized gasoline, in an effort to curb the surging cost of fuel subsidies. (JG Photo/Safir Makki) |
 | US Credit Downgrade Could Benefit Indonesia: Central Bank A credit rating downgrade on the United States could cause money to flow into Indonesia for a short term, as investors seek better returns on assets such as the rupiah, the central bank said on Thursday. Dion Bisara | 10:30 PM July 14, 2011 Indian and Local Firms Share $20m in Natural Gas Tenders In a move to boost alternative energy production, the government awarded two private companies contracts worth $20 million in total for access to a pair of coalbed methane sites, an official said on Thursday. Ririn Radiawati Kusuma | 9:23 PM July 14, 2011 Indonesian Advertisers Missing Out on Web Profits Indonesia lags neighboring countries in online advertising business, even as Internet usage in the archipelago surged in the past few years, according to a top executive at social networking site LinkedIn. Shirley Christie | 9:03 PM July 14, 2011 |  |
| | sports |  Indonesian Football Association (PSSI) chairman Djohar Arifin Husin announced on Thursday that Dutch coach Wilhelmus "Wim" Rijsbergen, left, who replaces Alfred Riedl, would be offered a four-year contract to head the national team under a 'grand plan' to improve the nation's football. (Antara Photo) |
 | Hendry Playing for Keeps at Indonesia Open Defending champion Michael Hendry ended the first round of the Indonesia Open on Thursday in a familiar position, at the top of the leaderboard. Jakarta Globe | 8:50 PM July 14, 2011 Football: Graft May Blight Malaysia-Singapore Rivalry Kuala Lumpur. A plan to revive the football rivalry between Malaysia and Singapore could be undermined by corruption and match-fixing, a former top official warned on Thursday. M. Jegathesan | 3:08 PM July 14, 2011 |  |
| | life & times | Once Upon a Big Apple: An Indonesian Author Recounts His Time Abroad As a young boy, Iwan Setyawan didn't dare to have big dreams. Whenever people asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, he had one answer. He wanted to be a "hansip," a low-ranked paramilitary soldier tasked to provide village-level security. Emmy Fitri | 6:03 PM July 14, 2011  Iwan Setyawan's largely autobiographical best-selling novel tells the story of a young boy who dreams of escaping his poverty in mountainous East Java. He grows up to live in New York City, where a shocking event makes him look back into his past. (Photo courtesy of Iwan Setyawan) |
 | New Menteng Bistro Leaves Buddha Bar Past in the Dust Across from Cut Meutia Mosque in Menteng stands Bistro Boulevard restaurant and lounge with its classic Batavia architecture. Once controversial for going by the name of Buddha Bar, the owners redesigned the venue and the restaurant concept. Lisa Siregar | 5:48 PM July 14, 2011 Catch the Capital's Coffee Buzz A decade ago, an espresso was considered an exclusive drink in Jakarta. What a difference a few years make. Today, the city's malls are filled with coffee shops and new joints are popping up all the time, giving Jakartans all the more reason to include locally grown coffee in their daily routine. Tasa Nugraza Barley | 5:15 PM July 14, 2011 |  |
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