Region

Simpsons supplant science

By Steven Chung · Monday, Jan. 26,2004 11:53 p.m.

fter completing my first semester as an organic chemistry instructor at Iowa State University, I searched desperately through dozens of course evaluations looking for any positive student response until finally, I found one. It read, "He speaks English. YEE HAW!" Well, I never thought my ability to speak English was anything to "Yee Haw" about, but I'm glad somebody noticed.

IUB receives grant for ePortfolio

By Stacie Vasko · Monday, Jan. 26,2004 11:51 p.m.

In a world where grades weigh largely on success, students may not be able to fully express their past achievements to future employers. Until now. IU will soon see the addition of a valuable student resource in every University branch across the state. IU has been granted over $500,000 to develop a new service called ePortfolio that will be available through Oncourse for the 2005-06 school year.

Jordan River Forum

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, Jan. 26,2004 11:46 p.m.

Coffee houses address greater concerns It is interesting that in an article about Bloomington's coffee houses ("The Simple Pleasures" Jan. 22) staff writer Jenica Schultz failed to mention a huge issue many coffee consumers are concerned with -- fair trade -- coffee that has been fairly traded with the producer, assuring that no matter what the current market value of coffee, the farmers will be fairly compensated to maintain a living wage.

McDonald's posts strong year-end sales

By Alyson Brodsy and Dave Carpenter · Monday, Jan. 26,2004 11:30 p.m.

CHICAGO - McDonald's Corp. capped off a turnaround year with a modest $125.7 million profit in the fourth quarter, posting strong sales and operating results as it continued a resurgence under CEO Jim Cantalupo.

Guidant to acquire California company

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, Jan. 26,2004 11:30 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Guidant Corp. has acquired a California developer of microwave technology used in heart bypass surgery and other procedures for $45 million plus future milestone payments.

Boys' night out

By Chelsea York · Monday, Jan. 26,2004 11:24 p.m.

I always hang out with guys. That's just what I do. I have a handful of close girl friends, and the rest are all guys. I find them easier to get along with, which I think is because I expect less out of them than I do my female counterparts. If they say something ridiculously dense, it's OK. Girls, on the other hand, just irritate me if they can't complete a logical thought. If guys don't clean up after themselves when they cook, I overlook it. I mean, that's a guy for you, but girls should know better by now.

Stripping down soccer

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, Jan. 26,2004 11:22 p.m.

Who wears short shorts? Well, the U.S. women's soccer team might. Fédération Internationale de Football Association President Sepp Blatter recently suggested women show more skin on the field to increase the popularity of women's soccer and draw more viewers.

Those candidates sure are characters

By Brian McFillen and Brain J. McFillen · Monday, Jan. 26,2004 11:16 p.m.

Forget parenthood, the greatest joy in life is being an opinion columnist in a presidential election year. Like a Shakespearean tragedy with multiple heroes, there is hyperbole, treachery, misfortune, madness and bizarre twists of fate -- and we columnists get to play the Fools to the candidates' Lears.

Open letter to Greek heads

By Judd Arnold · Monday, Jan. 26,2004 11:10 p.m.

To the newly elected presidents of the Panhellenic Association and Interfraternity Council: From North Jordan to Third Street; from Sigma Chi to Delta Gamma; the state of the Greek system is just plain sad. During the past five years, our community has slowly degenerated into an over-regulated and obnoxiously politically correct excuse for what used to be the greatest way to experience IU. During that same period of decline, Greek leadership has not voiced any opposition, and in many instances it has been the Greek leadership itself that has acted against the wishes of most Greeks. It is time for our leaders to finally stand for what the greater part of us wants and to have guts to be our most vocal supporters.

Bin Laden aide caught in Iraq

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, Jan. 26,2004 11:07 p.m.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- The minister in charge of Iraqi police said Monday al Qaeda was probably behind some suicide bombings in Iraq, and President Bush praised the capture of a senior member of Osama bin Laden's network. "There is a presence of al Qaeda in this country. We've announced that directly and indirectly," Interior Minister Nouri Badran said. "A lot of the suicide attacks have the fingerprints of the crimes committed by al Qaeda," he added. Asked if al Qaeda is operating in Iraq, he said: "Yes, it is."

U.S. delegation talks with Gadhafi

By Alyson Brodsy and Niko Price · Monday, Jan. 26,2004 11:05 p.m.

TRIPOLI, Libya -- A U.S. Congressional delegation met with Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi and visited a nuclear site Monday as they wrapped up a landmark trip both sides hoped would improve relations between the two countries. "We discussed the hope that we will achieve normal relations soon," delegation leader, Republican Rep. Curt Weldon of Pennsylvania, said after the meeting.

Paraguay head faces assassination threat

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, Jan. 26,2004 11:05 p.m.

ASUNCION, Paraguay -- Paraguay's president returned home Monday from a vacation in neighboring Brazil amid reports of a possible assassination attempt against him. Government and intelligence officials refused to comment on reports Monday by newspapers ABC Color and Ultima Hora that President Nicanor Duarte had delayed his return by a day because of security concerns.

Thai boy is bird flu's seventh fatality

By Alyson Brodsy and Daniel Lovering · Monday, Jan. 26,2004 11:04 p.m.

BANGKOK, Thailand -- A 6-year-old Thai boy became Asia's seventh confirmed bird flu fatality -- making this the deadliest outbreak since 1997 -- and the government said Monday it was awaiting lab results on four other people who died in a northern province. The World Health Organization said the search for a vaccine had been set back because the virus had mutated. A previous strain detected in Hong Kong in 1997 can no longer be used as the key to producing a vaccine, so an international effort has become necessary, WHO said.

Fighting in western Sudan continues

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, Jan. 26,2004 11:03 p.m.

TINE, Chad -- Sudanese planes dropped bombs in western Sudan Monday, sending hundreds of people fleeing across the border into Chad where aid workers scrambled to provide them with food and shelter in the barren desert. Loud explosions echoed across the frontier as terrified refugees told of government planes bombing their homes and an Arab militia raiding their villages earlier in the day.

Ah, the afternoon siesta

By Julia Balnford and Julia Blanford · Monday, Jan. 26,2004 11:03 p.m.

Upon first glance, the city of Toledo, Spain conjures up images of medieval times and Spain's legendary character, Don Quixote. Turrets on the famous Alcázar palace and high brick walls designed to ward off intruders complete the historic landscape. Walking down the city's cobblestone streets feels like a trip back in time, destroyed only by the Fiats and Seats speeding down small alleyways and narrowly missing the numerous pedestrians wandering the city.

Trial opens in patent dispute over Lilly drug

By Alyson Brodsy and Deanna Wrenn · Monday, Jan. 26,2004 10:59 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS - Eli Lilly & Co. opened its defense in federal court Monday of its patent on the company's top-selling drug, saying its discovery came after years of difficult research. Three generic drug manufacturers are seeking to have Lilly's patent on Zyprexa, an anti-psychotic introduced in 1996 to treat schizophrenia, that has sales of about $4 billion a year declared invalid.

Newborn conjoined twins die Saturday

By Alyson Brodsy and Mark Jewell · Monday, Jan. 26,2004 10:58 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS - Twin girls who were born with their bodies joined died at a hospital, four days after they were born to a teenage couple from Fort Wayne. Following the births Tuesday of Stephanie Nicole McCray and Rebecca Marie McCray, doctors at St. Vincent Hospital said the twins were unlikely to survive long because they shared several vital organs, including the liver and intestines.

Organic beef a new alternative

By Sarah Schwimmer · Monday, Jan. 26,2004 10:57 p.m.

Though the first case of mad cow disease in the United States was found in Washington state, the effects of the discovery can be seen elsewhere, including Bloomington. Restaurants are working to reassure customers their food is safe, and some people say they have stopped eating beef until they feel it is safe again.

'Return of the King' grabs 4 Golden Globes

By Alyson Brodsy and David Germain · Monday, Jan. 26,2004 10:55 p.m.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" and its mythical creatures are poised to go where no fantasy film has gone before -- the winner's circle at the Academy Awards. With a leading four Golden Globe trophies, the final chapter of Peter Jackson's adaptation of the J.R.R. Tolkien trilogy appears ready to steamroll its way to the best-picture Oscar. Nominations come out Tuesday. A box-office juggernaut heading toward $1 billion in ticket sales worldwide, "Return of the King" took the dramatic-picture prize at Sunday's Globes, along with the best-director award for Jackson and the song and musical score honors.

Summer no vacation for sprinter

By Steve Slivka · Monday, Jan. 26,2004 10:49 p.m.

To compete as an athlete in today's sports world, athletes need to take advantage of the summer months. For junior sprinter Charlene Maddox, this theme held true this past summer. During the indoor track and field season, Maddox competes in the 200 and 400-meter runs. However, last indoor season, Maddox fought injuries which kept her from competing on a regular basis.