Region

Madrid train blasts kill 192

By Alyson Brodsy and Mar Roman · Friday, March 12,2004 12:37 a.m.

MADRID, Spain -- Ten terrorist bombs tore through trains and stations along a commuter line at the height of Madrid's morning rush hour Thursday, killing 192 people and wounding more than 1,400 others before this weekend's general elections. Officials blamed Basque separatists for the worst terrorist attack in Spanish history.

Journalism Dean inducted into Hall

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, March 12,2004 12:30 a.m.

GREENCASTLE, Ind. -- Trevor Brown, dean of IU's School of Journalism, and George P. Stewart, founder of the Indianapolis Recorder, are among five people to be inducted into the Indiana Journalism Hall of Fame next month. The others selected were Steve Bell, a telecommunications professor at Ball State University and a former ABC News reporter and anchor; Henry Gill, a photographer who grew up in Washington, Ind., and covered events around the world; and Edward Spray, the president of Scripps Networks.

South Korean president impeached after protests outside parliament

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, March 12,2004 12:23 a.m.

SEOUL, South Korea - Parliament voted to impeach President Roh Moo-hyun on illegal electioneering and incompetence charges Friday following hours of scuffles and dramatic protests. Roh's presidential powers will be suspended while the matter is referred to the Constitutional Court for final approval to unseat the leader. The court has 180 days to rule.

U.S. diplomats press Sharon for details on Gaza Strip barrier, withdrawl

By Alyson Brodsy and Josef Federman · Friday, March 12,2004 12:21 a.m.

JERUSALEM -- Visiting American diplomats pressed Prime Minister Ariel Sharon Thursday for more details of his proposed withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, as his top security advisers recommended Israel also dismantle as many as 24 settlements in the West Bank.

Obese? Oh, please!

By Scott Gorsky and Scott J. Gorsky · Friday, March 12,2004 12:21 a.m.

I like sports that aren't really sports. Right off the bat, this gets a little tricky. What is a sport? The dictionary says a sport is a "physical activity governed by a set of rules." Thanks to that hopelessly nebulous definition, driving my car around town is a sport. So is making Hollandaise sauce.

Atomic agency to censure Iran over nuclear program

By Alyson Brodsy and George Jahn · Friday, March 12,2004 12:20 a.m.

VIENNA, Austria -- Closing the books on Libya, a key U.N. atomic agency meeting turned to Iran Thursday as it debated how harshly to censure Tehran, Iran for failing to fully expose its nuclear activities and dispel suspicions it wanted to make weapons.

No sex please, we're Texans

By Cameron Thibos · Friday, March 12,2004 12:20 a.m.

All right girls, all together now, stick your heads in the sand. One. Two. Three. Go!" Plop! "Hey," a garbled voice shouts. "It's dark down here. I can't see what's going on!" "Very true dear, but what you can't see can't hurt you. Blissful ignorance is much better than looking around and learning what really happens in life. Now just stay down here until you are 65 and can handle the world."

Cyclone leaves 154 dead

By Alyson Brodsy and Elliott Sylvester · Friday, March 12,2004 12:18 a.m.

ANTALAHA, Madagascar -- A ferry missing after being caught in a cyclone off the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar sank with all but two of its 113 passengers and crew trapped inside, port authorities said Thursday.

Stop the madness

By Jonathan Blanks · Friday, March 12,2004 12:17 a.m.

I think I have seen it all. During the Q&A of Dr. Cornell West's lecture at IU last month, I saw a middle-aged white man refer to himself as an "undercover brother." Give me a break. Actually, I thought to myself "Aw no he di'int!" Yes, yes he did.

Ex-congressional aide charged with spying

By Alyson Brodsy and Larry Neumeister · Friday, March 12,2004 12:17 a.m.

NEW YORK -- A former journalist and congressional press secretary was arrested Thursday on charges she acted as an Iraqi spy before and after the U.S. invasion of Iraq, accepting $10,000 for her work, prosecutors said Thursday.

Hungarians honor independence

By Rami Chami · Friday, March 12,2004 12:16 a.m.

Students, professors and members of the Bloomington community were among those who gathered yesterday to celebrate Hungary's Independence Day, which was held Thursday in the University Club Room at the Indiana Memorial Union. Participants were treated to poetry readings by students in the Hungarian Studies program.

Shock, awe and flashbacks

By Julia Balnford and Julia Blanford · Friday, March 12,2004 12:14 a.m.

My morning cartoons had just ended, so I started channel surfing. One thing was evident as I searched my seven TV stations -- all of them had live feed of police officers, firefighters, Red Cross workers and ambulances scrambling around everywhere. Then came footage of people sitting on the ground, one hand covering a wound, the other holding a cell phone to their ear, presumably telling loved ones they were alive.

New restaurants set to open at food courts

By Michelle Manchir · Friday, March 12,2004 12:10 a.m.

Dorm food -- a term that strikes fear into the hearts of incoming college freshman. Despite its notoriously bad reputation, probably stemming from less-than-pleasing elementary cafeteria lunches of mystery meat and soggy vegetables, many students agree dorm food at IU isn't all that horrific.

Students booking trips at last minute

By Dan Patrick · Friday, March 12,2004 12:08 a.m.

Warm weather, crystal clear water and skimpy clothing are in the immediate future for many IU students. But there are still a few stragglers who have put their planning for the perfect vacation off until the last possible day.

Sociology professor, author dies

By Benjames Derrick and Benjamin Derrick · Friday, March 12,2004 12:07 a.m.

IU is feeling the loss of former Sociology Professor Frank Robert Westie after he died at his Naples, Fla., residence March 5. Westie was 82. Westie enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II before finishing his music degree at Wayne State University in Detroit with plans to compose music for a living. But his experiences piloting a B-17 Flying Fortress changed his psyche forever.

Hoosiers hope to add Fagan to NCAA roster

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, March 11,2004 11:51 p.m.

Junior Ryan Fagan will try to become the fifth Hoosier on the men's swimming and diving team to qualify for this year's NCAA Championships when he takes to the board in this weekend's NCAA Zone C Diving Championships in Bloomington.

Griffiths overcomes adversity to lead Hoosiers

By Mark Carlson · Thursday, March 11,2004 11:49 p.m.

In August 2002, junior softball player Ashley Griffiths was driving with her family from California to IU, ready to start her sophomore year. In a split second, that all changed.

Towns competes in NCAA meet

By Steve Slivka · Thursday, March 11,2004 11:48 p.m.

During the course of the 2004 indoor track season, IU junior sprinter Ara Towns' frequent flyer miles increased. Earlier in the season, she traveled to New York City, and now, for the second time this season, she'll be headed to Fayetteville, Ark. This trip will be the biggest yet, as she competes in the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships.

on the SIDELINES

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, March 11,2004 11:47 p.m.

Wiley in with Cowboys, Lynch out with Bucs Defensive end Marcellus Wiley is now a Cowboy. John Lynch is soon to be an ex-Buccaneer. A week after being released by San Diego, Wiley signed with Dallas Thursday in hopes of living up to his reputation as one of the league's more feared pass rushers. He got $16 million over four years, including a $4.5 million signing bonus.

Heroes from the bench

By Alex Hickey · Thursday, March 11,2004 11:45 p.m.

Wow. After a yearlong wait, pure, unadulterated Indiana basketball showed itself at Conseco Fieldhouse Thursday. Along with the IU season, my column-writing career has survived to last another day.