Slip Biru Masih Berlaku

Kepolisian kembali menegaskan bahwa slip tilang berwarna biru atau biasa disebut slip biru yang diberikan ketika ditilang hingga saat ini masih berlaku.

Hal tersebut ditegaskan oleh Komisaris Polisi Indra Jaffar di arena Indonesia International Motor Show (IIMS) 2009.

"Slip biru hingga kini masih berlaku," ungkapnya.

Slip biru sendiri adalah sebuah slip berwarna biru yang diberikan petugas kepolisian ketika menilang sebuah kendaraan.

Dengan slip ini, masyarakat yang kena tilang dapat langsung membayar denda tilang ke sejumlah bank yang telah ditunjuk tanpa harus melalui proses pengadilan seperti halnya bila mendapatkan slip tilang berwarna merah.

Namun sayang, ketika di jalan, banyak pengguna jalan yang mengeluh kesulitan ketika meminta slip tilang berwarna biru tersebut.

Untuk masalah ini, Indra pun langsung angkat bicara dan menjelaskan bahwa sering kali petugas memang tidak memberikan slip tilang berwarna biru kepada pengendara.

Karena menurutnya sosialisasi peraturan ini ternyata masih kurang luas di kalangan perbankan, sehingga sering kali masyarakat yang ditilang, pembayaran slip biru ini ditolak oleh bank karena memang baru sebagian dari karyawan bank yang mengerti akan prosedur ini.

Bila sudah begitu, tentu bukannya membantu si pengendara, kurangnya kordinasi di bank ini malah akan menyulitkan pengendara itu sendiri.

"Dalam beberapa kasus bank menolak karena tellernya kurang mengerti, bila sudah begini kan kasian si pengendara yang pasti kebingungan mau bayar dimana," papar Indra.

Indra pun membantah bahwa hal ini merupakan sebuah kesengajaan yang dilakukan petugas di lapangan.

"Karena langkah yang diambil petugas itu kan semata-mata untuk mempermudah masyarakat dan tidak ada maksud sedikit pun untuk membuatnya jadi sulit," pungkasnya.

Blue Food Dye Used in M&M's May Treat Spinal Cord Injuries

A common and safe blue food dye might provide the best treatment available so far for spinal cord injuries, U.S. researchers reported on Monday.

Tests in rats showed the dye, called brilliant blue G, a close relative of the common food dye Blue no. 1, crossed into the spinal fluid and helped block inflammation, Maiken Nedergaard of the University of Rochester Medical Center and colleagues reported.

"We have no effective treatment now for patients who have an acute spinal cord injury," Dr. Steven Goldman, who worked on the study, said in a statement.

"Our hope is that this work will lead to a practical, safe agent that can be given to patients shortly after injury, for the purpose of decreasing the secondary damage that we have to otherwise expect."

When nerve cells in the brain or spine are damaged, they often release a spurt of chemicals that causes nearby cells to die. No one is sure why, and stopping this process is key to preventing the damage that continues to build after a stroke or spinal cord injury.

One of the chemicals is ATP. Nedergaard's team looked for something that would interfere with this and found the blue dye, which they called BBG, would do this via the P2X7R receptor or doorway.

"We found that IV administration of the P2X7R inhibitor BBG significantly reduced the severity of spinal cord damage without any evident toxicity," they wrote.

"Remarkably, BBG is a derivative of the widely used food additive FD&C Blue number 1. Currently, more than 1 million pounds of FD&C blue dye No. 1 are consumed yearly in the United States, corresponding to a daily intake of 16 mg per person."

The only known toxicity is in patients with blood infections known as sepsis.

Nedergaard cautioned that tests in humans are likely still years away. Treatment would have to be immediate, she added - because the damage to nerve cells is irreversible.

iPhone Apps for the Lawbreaker in You

You're driving along the highway, maybe exceeding the speed limit, when your iPhone calls out to you: "Police often hide here."

Glancing at the phone, you see a road map that pinpoints your exact location and, very close to it, an icon of a police car. It's time to ease the pedal from the metal.

This is why you've downloaded "Trapster," one of several "apps" — programs available for the Apple iPhone — that can help users get a leg up on the law.

If you're a blackjack player, there's an iPhone app you can use to count cards — a neat little trick that will help you beat the odds in a casino.

One added feature is that it can also can help you obtain a room in a Nevada prison and stay free for six years. (It isn't illegal to count cards, but it's illegal in Nevada to use a device to count cards.)

If you're a marijuana smoker, yet another app will show you where you can find it and buy it — with a doctor's prescription, of course.

The most popular of these apps is "Trapster," with 1.5 million users. The free program uses the GPS receiver built into new iPhones to track a driver's location and warn of nearby speed traps and red light cameras. It's also available for phones running Google Android and some BlackBerries.

Drivers can add new locations to the app by hitting buttons to mark speed traps and red light cameras for other drivers. Users can also rate the accuracy of speed trap reports, which helps weed out fake inputs.

The app potentially can help users speed or run lights more often. Nonetheless, police are largely supportive of Trapster, because they hope it will get users to slow down.

"Anything that gets people to slow down on the highway, or drive in a more responsible manner, is a good thing," said Corinne Geller, public relations manager for the Virginia State Police.

She said the state itself uses that logic to announce some red light cameras and speed-limit enforcement areas.

"We don't hide," Geller said.

Radar detectors are illegal in many states, but the iPhone app is perfectly legal because it doesn't actually detect a radar signal. It simply relies on user input to pinpoint spots where police often hide to catch speeders.

In Washington, D.C., Police Chief Cathy Lanier was quoted earlier this month in the Washington Examiner saying that using Trapster was a "cowardly tactic" to avoid police.

But a D.C. police spokeswoman says the chief was misquoted, and the department has no opinion on the application.

She also noted that a list of the District's red-light cameras is publicly available on its Web site.

Trapster's creator, Pete Tenereillo, says that he hopes the application will get drivers to slow down.

"It's a possibility that someone would use it to try to speed up between speed traps," he said. "But honestly, this is user-generated content, and I don't know how many people would be that confident that the only speed traps are the ones that are marked in Trapster. I would love it if they were."

If you can avoid running through red lights and getting stopped for speeding, you can drive to your local casino and fire up another iPhone app — "A Black Jack Card Counter," a $4.99 program that has gaming institutions on edge.

The app allows users to record the cards played and includes a "stealth mode" that turns the screen off while allowing users to continue hitting the buttons to record cards.

It has the potential to make users a lot of money.

"If you stick to the basic strategy for blackjack, the house has a small advantage," the program's creator, Travis Yates, writes in the program's description. "But if you can keep count of the number of high and low ranked cards in the pack, you can gain a small advantage.... This small advantage, around 1%, over a long period of time can result in huge wins."

But there is a downside.

"I would not recommend using this app in a casino as you could get into a lot of trouble," Yates writes.

In Nevada, for instance, using an electronic device to keep track of cards played in a casino is a category B felony with a maximum penalty of six years in prison and a $10,000 fine, as outlined here.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board sent a letter earlier this year warning casinos in the state of the app's existence.

Jerry Markling, chief of the Nevada Gaming Control Board's enforcement division, told FOXNews.com that nobody has been prosecuted for using the app.

He added that the program's stealth mode "certainly makes one wonder what the real intent is," but he said that he would not fault Apple for allowing the program, given that it could have uses outside of a casino.

Other iPhone applications called "Cannabis" and "iPot” help users find medical marijuana dispensaries.

The Cannabis program also lists local advocacy groups and lawyers — a feature that could come in handy since all marijuana, even in states that allow its use for medical purposes, is illegal under federal law.

But it's easy to violate, as U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder says he has no plans to prosecute marijuana dispensaries operating legally under state laws.

Users certainly have no trepidation about posting their comments on Apple's forums.

"Works as promised," an iPhone owner in the San Francisco area wrote about iPot. "Learned about a new dispensary in Bernal Heights."

An Apple spokeswoman declined to comment on all of these applications.

Tanning Beds as Deadly as Mustard Gas, Arsenic

International cancer experts have moved tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet radiation into the top cancer risk category, deeming them as deadly as arsenic and mustard gas.

For years, scientists have described tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation as "probable carcinogens."

A new analysis of about 20 studies concludes the risk of skin cancer jumps by 75 percent when people start using tanning beds before age 30. Experts also found that all types of ultraviolet radiation caused worrying mutations in mice, proof the radiation is carcinogenic. Previously, only one type of ultraviolet radiation was thought to be lethal.

The new classification means tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet radiation are definite causes of cancer, alongside tobacco, the hepatitis B virus and chimney sweeping, among others.

The research was published online in the medical journal Lancet Oncology on Wednesday, by experts at the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, the cancer arm of the World Health Organization.

"People need to be reminded of the risks of sunbeds," said Vincent Cogliano, one of the cancer researchers. "We hope the prevailing culture will change so teens don't think they need to use sunbeds to get a tan."

Most lights used in tanning beds give off mainly ultraviolet radiation, which cause skin and eye cancer, according to the International Agency for Cancer Research.

The classification of tanning beds as carcinogenic was disputed by Kathy Banks, chief executive of The Sunbed Association, a European trade association of tanning bed makers and operators.

"The fact that is continuously ignored is that there is no proven link between the responsible use of sunbeds and skin cancer," Banks said in a statement. She said most users of tanning beds use them less than 20 times a year.

But as use of tanning beds has increased among people under 30, doctors have seen a parallel rise in the numbers of young people with skin cancer. In Britain, melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer, is now the leading cancer diagnosed in women in their 20s. Normally, skin cancer rates are highest in people over 75.

Previous studies found younger people who regularly use tanning beds are eight times more likely to get melanoma than people who have never used them. In the past, WHO warned people younger than 18 to stay away from tanning beds.

Cogliano cautioned that ultravoilet radiation is not healthy, whether it comes from a tanning bed or from the sun. The American Cancer Society advises people to try bronzing or self-tanning creams instead of tanning beds.

Schumacher Set For Comeback

MICHAEL SCHUMACHER could be set for a shock return to Formula One with Ferrari.

The seven-time world champion has thrown his name into the hat to stand in for injured driver Felipe Massa.

Brazilian Massa is in a stable but serious condition in hospital after being hit on the helmet by a spring during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

His F1 career is in doubt and Ferrari need a short-term replacement until a decision is made on Massa's future.

Schumacher's spokeswoman Sabine Kehm said: "The whole thing will be considered by Ferrari.

"If they approach Michael, then he will consider it.

"But there is no reason for him to step into their discussion."

Schumacher had ruled out a permanent return to the sport at the German Grand Prix three weeks ago.

And Kehm added: "Usually, I would say he's not interested because he's fine with his life and he doesn't miss anything.

"But now the situation is so different — it's very hypothetical."

There are doubts about whether Schumacher could handle the stresses and strains of being back in an F1 car after being involved in a crash earlier this year.

Kehm confirmed: "Michael had a motorcycle accident in February when he had a neck problem.

"I really can't tell you if his neck would be fine to drive an F1 race.

"If Ferrari asked him whether he would consider driving, he would have it checked. However, you have to remember he is a 40-year-old man."

Paula Abdul May Leave American Idol

PAULA Abdul's manager says it is becoming increasingly unlikely that she will return to her role as a judge on American Idol.

"Very sadly, it does not appear that she's going to be back," the manager, David Sonenberg, told the LA Times.

Negotiations have been under way since last season to re-sign Abdul, whose $5-million-a-year deal ends next month.

But speculation is high that the shocking statement is the latest negotiating ploy in the protracted talks.

Sonenberg has been representing Abdul only since last month and may have wanted merely to stir up public sympathy for her.

It seems to have worked too. "KeepPaula" was the No. 1 topic on Twitter this weekend, according to trend reports.

American Idol producers declined to respond.

Ryan Seacrest just signed a deal that tripled his $5-million annual salary to $15 million.

Tuhan Lebih Sayang Mama & Papa

Musibah demi musibah dialami dua anak (alm) Kolonel Ricky Samuel. Setelah dua tahun lalu ditinggal sang bunda yang menderita kanker otak, kini giliran ayah mereka pergi selamanya. Meski demikian, Assila terlihat sangat tabah.

Demi merayakan ultah Assila Amelia (14) yang jatuh tanggal 16 Juni, Ricky Samuel sudah berencana cuti. Apa daya, Tuhan punya kehendak lain. Ia tewas dalam kecelakaan jatuhnya helikopter di Cianjur, Senin (8/6) lalu.

Dua tahun silam, Assa, begitu panggilan anak sulung mendiang, juga harus merayakan ultahnya dengan cara tak lazim. Yaitu meniup lilin ultah di rumah sakit. Kala itu, bundanya, Sherly Makadada, tergolek lemah karena penyakit kanker otak. Seakan hanya ingin menunggu anak sulungnya ulang tahun, esok harinya Sherly pergi ke alam baka.

Itu sebabnya, Assa langsung lemah lunglai ketika mendengar kabar ayahnya menjadi salah satu korban kecelakaan heli naas itu. ”Rasanya berita itu sulit dipercaya, tapi saya harus berusaha tabah,” kata siswa kelas II SMP Lentera International School, Jakarta ini.

Terbiasa Ditinggal

Assa memang terkesan amat tabah untuk anak seusianya. Hanya sesekali gadis muda ini menyeka air matanya ketika jenazah ayahnya perlahan-lahan dimasukkan ke dalam liang kubur di Taman Makam Pahlawan Kalibata (9 Juni 2009). ”Saya sudah terbiasa ditinggal pergi orang-orang yang saya cintai. Sebelum Mama, Oma, dan sekarang Papa. Rasanya, kok, nasib Assa enggak beruntung banget, ya? Tapi, mau bagaimana lagi?” katanya dengan nada masygul.

Sementara itu, adiknya, Nugraha Pusaka (11), amat shock saat mendengar ayahnya tewas. Saka sempat membentur-benturkan kepalanya ke tembok. Itu pula yang dilakukannya saat ibunya meninggal dua tahun silam.

Kepergian sang ayah memang amat menyakitkan bagi Assa dan Saka. Toh, itu tak membuat kenangan manis sang ayah di benak Assa pudar. “Papa orang baik. Tak hanya pada Assa dan Saka, ke orang lain pun Papa selalu berbuat baik.” Salah satu contohnya, sebut Assa, anak-anak pembantu mereka dibiayai sekolah. ”Papa juga selalu memikirkan nasib anak buahnya. Juga sering traktir mereka.” Bahkan sejam sebelum terbang di hari naas itu, Ricky sempat menjamu makan teman-temannya.

Selain rajin mengajak anak-anaknya ke gereja, Ricky juga selalu menunggui Assa dan Saka belajar. “Kami juga dimanja. Papa selalu memikirkan kebutuhan kami,” kisah Assa lirih.

Setelah sang bunda meninggal, Ricky dipindah ke Pusat Pendidikan Pasukan Khusus Kopassus TNI Batujajar, Bandung. Assa dan Saka tetap menempati rumah keluarga di kawasan Bintaro bersama Irna Susanti, adik rohani Ricky, dan dua pembantunya. “Biasanya, tiap 3-4 hari, Papa ke Jakarta. Selebihnya, kami telepon-teleponan sehingga rasanya selalu dekat.”

Hubungan Assa dan ayahnya sangat dekat. ”Kami bisa bertukar pikiran soal apa saja. Soal pelajaran, sekolah, bahkan masalah Papa. Memang, sih, tak terlalu sering Papa bicara soal pekerjaannya. Mungkin dia tahu, kami punya beban sendiri jadi dia enggak mau menambah beban anak-anaknya,” kata Assa yang kelihatan lebih dewasa dari anak-anak seusianya.

Lunasi Gaji Pembantu

Cerita Assa tentang mendiang ayahnya tak jauh beda dengan pandangan rekan dan kerabat Ricky. “Orang lurus dan bersahaja.” Begitu komentar mereka. “Kak Ricky selalu memikirkan orang lain di samping sangat taat beribadah dan dermawan,” kenang Irna yang diminta Ricky menjaga anak-anaknya selama ia dinas di luar kota.

Ricky juga rajin berpuasa. ”Setiap kali akan tugas atau anaknya mau ujian, dia pasti puasa.” Bahkan beberapa hari sebelum kejadian, Ricky sempat puasa. ”Padahal, katanya badannya sedang tidak fit.”

Seperti sebuah firasat, beberapa hari sebelum tewas dalam kecelakaan itu, Ricky sudah membayar gaji pembantunya beberapa bulan ke depan. Bahkan, uang sekolah anak pembantunya juga sudah dilunasi. ”Dia juga pesan agar saya menjaga anak-anaknya,” kata Irna yang juga diserahi tugas mengatur keuangan keluarga. ”Sepertinya ia ingin memenuhi kewajibannya dulu sebelum pergi.”

Rupanya Ricky juga menitipkan dua buah hatinya ke Tonny Makadada (46), kakak iparnya. “Katanya, sebentar lagi dia mau tugas ke Kongo selama setahun. Ternyata dia malah ‘dinas’ untuk selamanya,” papar Tonny yang siap menjadi orangtua bagi Assa dan Saka.

Ricky yang baik hati memang sudah pergi menyusul sang istri. Toh, kepergian orangtuanya tak membuat Assa putus asa. ”Saya yakin, sesuatu yang baik, akan datang kelak. Walau kami sangat menyayangi Papa dan Mama, Tuhan lebih menyayangi mereka,” kata Assa dengan tegarnya.

Famous Taco Bell Chihuahua Dead at 15

The famous Taco Bell Spokesdog – who charmed audiences with the catchphrase “Yo Quiero Taco Bell” – has died.

Gidget, the 15-year-old Chihuaha, suffered a fatal stroke Tuesday night, according to a report from People magazine.

The “mostly-retired” canine also appeared in the film “Legally Blonde 2,” starring as Bruiser’s mom. In addition, she appeared in a commercial for the ‘90s edition of Trivial Pursuit.

When she wasn’t starring in films and commercials, Gidget enjoyed taking hikes, sunning her fur and sleeping for 23 hours, her trainer Sue Chipperton told People.

“She made so many people happy,” Chipperton said. “Gidget always knew where the camera was.”

Mijaks' 4th Kid

THE dancer thought to be Michael Jackson's secret lovechild was given a seat in the FRONT ROW at the King of Pop's memorial service, The Sun can reveal.

And childhood snaps show an uncanny likeness to Prince Michael II, seven - known as Blanket - the youngest of the star's three "official" children.

Michael, who died last month aged 50, is said to have told pals in 2004 that Norwegian Omer was born following a one-night stand in 1984.

Omer is now believed to be seeking a DNA test to discover the truth.

And yesterday his family in the Norwegian capital Oslo refused to rule out Jacko as Omer's dad.

After the singer's death, Omer's mum Pia cryptically remarked: "He was the King of Pop. But for us he was so much more."

The likeness between Omer and Blanket is remarkable. They have the same dark hair, the same eyebrows and the same facial features.

Significantly, Omer was granted a special place among the Jackson family for the service at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, on July 7.

Meanwhile, some of the most famous celebs in the world had to make do with seats in rows behind.

The Sun can also reveal that wannabe star Omer lived at Jacko's Neverland mansion for several years and mixed with the other Jacksons as if he was one of the family.

A revealing video shows long-haired Omer, then about 14, unwrapping Christmas presents with Michael at Neverland.

He plays with an infant, believed to be one Jacko's other kids, as if they were siblings.

In 2003, Omer was snapped at Jacko's birthday celebration and rode in a limo with the Thriller singer. Omer was even in Neverland when cops investigating child abuse allegations swooped in 2003.

He said last year: "It was totally sick. It was the whole squad from Santa Barbara Police Department.

"We didn't know why they were there. Michael was not at home."

After Omer was born, Jacko sent two employees to Oslo to help his mum raise him.

He and Omer are reported to have first met in 1996. Omer, then 12, impressed the dance legend with his own dance moves after waiting for him at a hotel in in Tunisia.

It is thought Omer's family sold their house in Holmlia, Oslo, and moved to Neverland in 1997.

They have since returned to Norway.

Omer had idolised Jacko since he was a child and has performed as a tribute act across the globe.

From 1996 he began appearing in public with his idol and even performing with him.

The young dancer was by Jacko's side when he called in a witch doctor to cure him of pain in Aspen, Colorado, in 2004.

Omer is also said to have had problems with drugs, like his alleged dad.

He was arrested for possession of a small quantity of cannabis and fined in Norway in 2004.

Michael even dedicated his 2001 album Invincible to Omer's best friend Benjamin Hermansen, 15, who was stabbed to death by neo-Nazis.

Omer and Jacko remained close right up until the Thriller singer's death on June 25 after a long addiction to prescription drugs.

In an interview in 2008, Omer said: "Loyalty is the most important thing for me.

"I have contact with Michael, and I think my loyalty to him is the reason we still have our contact.

"He is an unbelievably good human being."

Today Omer is trying to make a name for himself in the world of rap and hip-hop, promoting himself under the stage name O-Bee.

He has remained in LA since the memorial service.

Yesterday The Sun called at his family home in Norway but mum Pia was unwell. Her Pakistani husband Riz confirmed that Omer sat in the front row at Jacko's service.

He said: "Yeah, yeah, I know because I was watching. I told my wife, 'Just wait until the press see this. It's not a small thing'."

Both Pia and Riz, in their late 40s, worked for Jackson in the US. Riz is believed to have been a driver and Pia a nanny. Both have refused to answer questions about the star.

Yesterday Riz would neither confirm nor deny that Omer is Jacko's son. He said: "Make what you like. I don't want to discuss anything."

Report: Iranian Militias Marry, Rape Virgin Prisoners Before Executions

Members of Iran's feared Basij militia forcibly marry female virgin prisoners the night before scheduled executions, raping their new "wives" and making it religiously acceptable to execute them, a self-professed member of the paramilitary group said.

The anonymous militiaman told the Jerusalem Post that at age 18 he was "given the 'honor' to temporarily marry young girls before they were sentenced to death."

In the Islamic Republic of Iran it is illegal to execute a woman if she is a virgin, the former guard told the newspaper. So the government arranges "wedding" ceremonies to be conducted the night before executions, and prisoners are forced to have sexual intercourse with a guard.

Raped by her new "husband," a female prisoner is now fit to be put to death.

"I regret that, even though the marriages were legal," said the militiaman, who told the Jerusalem Post he had just been released from prison himself after freeing two teenagers rounded up during post-election protests.

Some of the prisoners in his care were drugged with sleeping pills to make them docile, as the girls in their custody always fought back, he said, fearing the night of the rape more deeply than their executions the following day.

"I remember hearing them cry and scream after [the rape] was over," he told the paper. "I will never forget how this one girl clawed at her own face and neck with her finger nails afterwards. She had deep scratches all over her."

Fuk Luk Sau Building

Tianzi Hotel, a 10-story building in the Chinese province of Hebei holds the record for the "biggest image building" in the world.

Israeli Warships in Suez Canal a Signal to Iran?

Two Israeli warships reportedly sailed through the Suez Canal on Tuesday, ten days after a submarine believed to be nuclear-armed made the crossing.

The deployment into the Red Sea, confirmed by Israeli officials to The Times of London, came ahead of long-range exercises by the Israeli air force with the U.S. later this month and the test of a missile defense shield at a U.S. missile range in the Pacific.

Israel has strengthened ties with Arab nations who also fear a nuclear-armed Iran. In particular, relations with Egypt have grown increasingly strong this year over the “shared mutual distrust of Iran”, according to one Israeli diplomat.

"This is preparation that should be taken seriously. Israel is investing time in preparing itself for the complexity of an attack on Iran. These maneuvers are a message to Iran that Israel will follow up on its threats," the Times of London quoted an Israeli defense official as saying.

If Israel were to launch an attack on Iran, Israeli naval vessels would likely pass through the Suez Canal, the official said.

It is believed that Israel’s missile-equipped submarines, and its fleet of advanced aircraft, could be used to strike in excess of a dozen nuclear-related targets more than 800 miles from Israel.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit told The Times that his government explicitly allowed passage of Israeli vessels, and an Israeli admiral said the drills were "run regularly with the full co-operation of the Egyptians."

Two Israeli Saar class missile boats and a Dolphin class submarine have passed through Suez. Israel has six Dolphin-class submarines, three of which may carry nuclear missiles.

Papan Reklame Miring di Jl. Fatmawati

Foto-foto ini diambil pada 15 Juli 2009 di Jl. Fatmawati Jakarta Selatan.

Upcoming Military Robot Could Feed on Dead Bodies

It could be a combination of 19th-century mechanics, 21st-century technology — and a 20th-century horror movie.

A Maryland company under contract to the Pentagon is working on a steam-powered robot that would fuel itself by gobbling up whatever organic material it can find — grass, wood, old furniture, even dead bodies.

Robotic Technology Inc.'s Energetically Autonomous Tactical Robot — that's right, "EATR" — "can find, ingest, and extract energy from biomass in the environment (and other organically-based energy sources), as well as use conventional and alternative fuels (such as gasoline, heavy fuel, kerosene, diesel, propane, coal, cooking oil, and solar) when suitable," reads the company's Web site.

That "biomass" and "other organically-based energy sources" wouldn't necessarily be limited to plant material — animal and human corpses contain plenty of energy, and they'd be plentiful in a war zone.

EATR will be powered by the Waste Heat Engine developed by Cyclone Power Technology of Pompano Beach, Fla., which uses an "external combustion chamber" burning up fuel to heat up water in a closed loop, generating electricity.

The advantages to the military are that the robot would be extremely flexible in fuel sources and could roam on its own for months, even years, without having to be refueled or serviced.

Upon the EATR platform, the Pentagon could build all sorts of things — a transport, an ambulance, a communications center, even a mobile gunship.

In press materials, Robotic Technology presents EATR as an essentially benign artificial creature that fills its belly through "foraging," despite the obvious military purpose.

Kapal Perang George Washington Akan ke Indonesia

Kepala Staf Angkatan Laut (Kasal) Laksamana TNI Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno mengatakan, Amerika Serikat (AS) akan mengikutsertakan lima kapal perangnya dalam parade kapal perang internasional Indonesia (Indonesian Fleet Review/IFR), pada 17-19 Agustus 2009.

"Semula AS akan kirim dua kapal perangnya. Namun konfirmasi terakhir menjadi lima kapal perang," katanya, ketika dikonfirmasi Antara di Jakarta, Rabu (15/7), tentang persiapan akhir IFR 2009 di Manado, Sulawesi Utara.

Lima kapal perang AS terdiri atas kapal induk George Washington dan empat lainnya merupakan perang jenis perusak (destroyer).

Selain AS, 31 negara lainnya seperti negara-negara ASEAN, China, Pakistan, Eropa, Prancis, Inggris, Jepang dan Rusia juga akan mengirimkan kapal perangnya sehingga diperkirakan ada 50 kapal perang yang akan ikut dalam IFR 2009.

Indonesia dalam kegiatan itu akan mengikutsertakan 10 kapal perangnya.

"Ini merupakan kebanggaan tersendiri dapat menyelenggarakan IFR dengan peserta yang cukup banyak yakni 32 negara dengan hampir 50 kapal perang," kata Kasal Tedjo.

Selain parade kapal perang (fleet review), juga ada lintas layar (sail pass), yacht rally Darwin (Australia) ke Manado, lintas terbang (fly pass), kirab kota, dan bakti sosial.

Pelaksanaan Parade Kapal Perang Indonesia kali pertama diselenggarakan pada Peringatan 50 Tahun Kemerdekaan Indonesia pada tahun 1995, dan baru kembali diselenggarakan pada pertengahan Agustus 2009. Ini juga merupakan keikutsertaan AS yang kedua kalinya.

Kasal menambahkan, kegiatan IFR 2009 tersebut sekaligus menunjukkan keberadaan Indonesia sebagai negara maritim yang besar, dimana 2/3 wilayah Indonesia adalah perairan.

Selain itu, melalui IFR 2009 dapat pula ditingkatkan kerja sama atas dasar saling menghormati dan menghargai antarnegara, khususnya angkatan laut masing-masing negara.

Pembukaan IFR 2009 rencananya akan dipimpin langsung oleh Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.