Region

Main library repairs will cost about $2 million

By Jessica Anderson · Wednesday, Feb. 14,2007 11:34 p.m.

An estimated $2 million will be spent this year on repairs to the Herman B Wells Library after two exterior panels came loose last December, said University Architect Robert Meadows.

Around the World

Wednesday, Feb. 14,2007 11:13 p.m.

State Farm Insurance is suspending sales of any new commercial or homeowner policies in Mississippi starting Friday. State Farm cited in part a wave of litigation it has faced after Hurricane Katrina. Mike Fernandez, vice president of public affairs, said the state's "current legal and political environment is simply untenable. We're just not in a position to accept any additional risk in this homeowners' market."

Bush: Iranian government supplying weapons in Iraq

By Terence Hunt · Wednesday, Feb. 14,2007 11:09 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- President Bush said on Wednesday he's certain the Iranian government is supplying deadly weapons used by fighters in Iraq against U.S. troops, even if he can't prove that the orders came from top Iranian leaders. More important, Bush said in his first news conference of the year, is the need to protect American forces against the new weapons and technology, including sophisticated new roadside bombs.

Real life brought to the stage in Baghdad

By Hamza Hendawi · Wednesday, Feb. 14,2007 11:09 p.m.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- A sculpture of a bomb-charred motorcycle and auto parts decorates the theater's foyer, and the concession stand lies empty under a layer of dust. Spectators are frisked by policemen, and a notice board announces that an employee has been "caught by the hand of treachery and terrorism," a Baghdad euphemism for a violent death.

Chrysler to cut 13,000 jobs, close plants

By Tom Krisher · Wednesday, Feb. 14,2007 11:08 p.m.

AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- In the next three years, 13,000 Chrysler workers will lose their jobs under a wrenching restructuring announced Wednesday that eventually may lead to a DaimlerChrysler divorce. The Chrysler unit of the German-American automaker announced its long-awaited plan at its Auburn Hills headquarters, saying it would cut 16 percent of the U.S. division's worldwide work force, a move it hoped would return its U.S. operations to profitability next year.

ARTiFACTS

Wednesday, Feb. 14,2007 11:05 p.m.

What: Antelope headdress, known as a Ci Wara or Sogoni Kun, of the Bamana peoples, Mali, West Africa.

Around the Arts

Wednesday, Feb. 14,2007 11:03 p.m.

The Hungarian Cultural Association of IU presents 'Fehérlófia' ('Son of the White Mare') WHEN: 6 p.m. Friday WHERE: Swain Hall East 140 MORE INFORMATION: Presented as part of the Hungarian Film Series and directed by Marcell Jankovics, this 1982 film is one of the best-known folktales in the Hungarian corpus. "Fehérlófia" will be shown in Hungarian with English subtitles.

Global film community gushes over being invited into the Academy Awards club

By Julie Watson · Wednesday, Feb. 14,2007 11:01 p.m.

MEXICO CITY -- A year ago, Rinko Kikuchi was appearing in mothball ads on local Japanese television. Today, she's nominated for an Academy Award as the world breaks into that most exclusive of clubs: the Oscars.

University Players present show, unable to disclose title for copyright reasons

By Nick Mills and Nicholas Mills · Wednesday, Feb. 14,2007 10:59 p.m.

Some individualized major students write a paper for their senior project. Others write a small play. Some go even further, writing a rock musical large enough to be performed at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. This is exactly what senior Codey Girten did.

Wishes do come true: An interview with Bob Saget

By Colin Dugdale · Wednesday, Feb. 14,2007 10:58 p.m.

I've always felt a mysteriously deep kinship with Bob Saget. A cosmic connection. A spiritual bond so powerful it can bend certain metals. At first, I thought it was just a physical attraction -- an internal octopus of hormonal passion, swinging its wild tentacles of desire.

Bloomington Playwrights Project offers more 'bang for your buck'

By Kyle Wood · Wednesday, Feb. 14,2007 10:57 p.m.

The Bloomington Playwrights Project is putting on the fourth installment of its series "SEX/DEATH." As an added bonus, this year's version includes a little bit on the subject of birth as well.

Short-handed Hoosiers host doubleheader

By Jordan Cohen · Wednesday, Feb. 14,2007 9:58 p.m.

Almost two weeks removed from its last matches, the IU men's tennis team hosts a doubleheader today at the IU Tennis Center. The No. 63 Hoosiers are looking for their biggest win to date when they face No. 61 DePaul in the morning match before doing battle with Eastern Kentucky at 5 p.m.

Chatting with the commish

By Mike Abrams · Wednesday, Feb. 14,2007 9:58 p.m.

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. That saying is so true, and it is one that will be exemplified this weekend when the NBA rolls into town for the All-Star weekend festivities. With this year's All-Star weekend being in Las Vegas, I had some questions to ask NBA Commissioner David Stern. I decided to conduct a phone interview with him.

Me and YouTube

By Colin Dugdale · Wednesday, Feb. 14,2007 9:55 p.m.

Nicotine, Aver's and sexual favors. Natty Light, corn and Internet porn. On the ever-expanding list of college addictions, the Web site YouTube.com is easily at the top. The video site, which was established exactly two years ago today, has quickly become a ubiquitous IU obsession, getting more hits campuswide than bongs on 4/20. With such a wide variety of videos, it's become popular among students of all ages, races and orientations.

Freitag signs 7 for next season

By Aaron Beard · Wednesday, Feb. 14,2007 9:55 p.m.

IU men's soccer coach Mike Freitag signed seven high-school seniors to national letters of intent yesterday for the fall 2007 season. The recruiting class has four National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-Americans, including prized recruits Andrew Adlard and Michael Roach. The Hoosiers also signed Rich Balchan, Tyler McCarroll, Michael Munroe, Alec Purdie and Max Weston.

Love, sex and bling

By Abram Hess · Wednesday, Feb. 14,2007 9:54 p.m.

A man of more wisdom and discernment than I once suggested that the things we hear the most about are the things we understand the least: peace, freedom, love, Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction. We talk ourselves blue-in-the-face trying to chase down each of these nebulous ideas and, when that fails, we talk some more.

Last Word

By C. Warner Sills and Brian J. McFillen · Wednesday, Feb. 14,2007 9:54 p.m.

Did you have a happy Valentine's Day? No, of course you didn't.

With us or against us

By Thomas Wachtel · Wednesday, Feb. 14,2007 9:53 p.m.

On Saturday, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama announced his intention to run for the Democratic nomination for president in 2008.

Anna and New York

By Edward Delp · Wednesday, Feb. 14,2007 9:53 p.m.

Anna Nicole Smith. That's all I have to say, really. I do not have to say anything specific about the stories swirling around her or her death. She has become a punch line unto herself.

No joke

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Feb. 14,2007 9:52 p.m.

A recent uproar at Central Connecticut State University has sparked nationwide concern to draw a line as to what is acceptable in mainstream journalism. An opinion columnist for the university's student newspaper has, judging by public backlash, shown us an example of what is decidedly not acceptable of this nature.