Region

Exit polls show France's conservatives take control of parliament

PARIS -- Exit polls showed French Socialists had lost control of the nation's parliament on Sunday, with the mainstream right winning a landslide election that would give conservative President Jacques Chirac more power than at any time in the last five years. Chirac's Union for the Presidential Majority, a coalition of rightist parties, captured between 360 and 378 seats, winning control of the 577-seat National Assembly, France's lawmaking body, exit polls showed.

Hockey team looks for National Championship

Hoosier center Brandon Phillips doesn't scare anyone with his size. At 5-foot-8, 155 pounds, the senior isn't the most imposing player on the ice, and more than a few opponents have watched him during the pre-game skate and anticipated the chance to squash him against the boards. But any opponent who has ever felt the impact of Phillips’ check knows better.

Learn through individuality, sleep deprevation

How to survive in D.C.

There are certain things in life that everyone should do: fall in love, eat fresh mangoes and live in a house with a porch swing. Working in Washington, D.C., tops the list of important experiences -- right up there with waiting tables.

Iraq expels five U.N. officials

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraq has expelled five U.N. officials it accuses of jeopardizing its security. The United Nations said Iraq failed to substantiate the claims, but that the officials were withdrawn for safety reasons. An Iraqi Foreign Ministry spokesman, speaking Wednesday on condition of anonymity, accused the five officials, four Nigerians and a Bosnian, of "jeopardizing the security and the integrity of Iraq."

D.A.R.E to be different

Drug Abuse Resistance Education is an effective program that truly keeps kids off drugs. I'm a funny guy aren't I? You wanna make people laugh? Tell them that D.A.R.E. works. Anyone who spent a day with the D.A.R.E. officers knows the programs is nothing more than an amusing distraction from the mundane homework of middle school. The D.A.R.E. officers came equipped with stories meant to keep kids drug-free and well-adjusted. My favorite was the one about the boy and his "self-esteem balloon" that inflates and deflates with different events during his day.

Senator Clark speaks to IU students

Indiana state Sen. Murray Clark spoke to the IU College Republicans and other students Tuesday night at the Indiana Memorial Union. The native of Indianapolis emphasized the importance of being involved in politics, while also addressing the topics of leadership, taxes and improvement of job opportunities.

Slower travel, bigger hassles

For the second summer in a row, it seems that everything in Bloomington has to readjust to the incredibly slow pace of the 10th Street construction. Students and Bloomington locals are forced to take unnecessary detours through back roads -- 13th Street, Cottage Grove Avenue and Fee Lane -- and even the Bloomington Transit and IU Campus Bus Services have been forced to alter their routes due to the lack of timeliness of the project's completion.

Jordan River Forum

Gov. O'Bannon proposes solutions to budget crisis

INDIANAPOLIS -- In his annual address to the State last night, Gov. Frank O'Bannon made it clear that in spite of the state's budget crisis, maintaining that a commitment to education is at the top of his agenda. The governor promised that he would do "everything possible to protect our progress in Indiana's schools." That would include raising cigarette and gambling taxes and restructuring property taxes. These tax increases will be unavoidable to offset a loss in state revenue caused by the dismal economic situation.

After slow start, Purdue hits stride

This season has been rough for Gene Keady and his Purdue Boilermakers. Trying to fight through the Big Ten without much defense, Keady has been left feeling a little under the weather. "These games lately, my chest has been hurting," Keady said. "January and February can get long. Thank goodness the weather's been nice." Sun began to shine for the Boilermakers (11-11, 3-5 Big Ten) last week when they had two victories, beating Northwestern and Iowa. The wins took Purdue back toward the middle of the Big Ten standings after opening the conference season with five losses in six games.

A haunting and memorable tale

"In the Bedroom" is a truly haunting tale that sincerely and genuinely eats at the emotions. There are no contrivances here. Nothing is forced as things are played out subtly and gradually. We experience the life of a perfectly happy family in the wonderfully light town of Camden, New England. But lurking under the surface is a tragedy waiting to erupt. And when this shocking yet very believable disaster occurs, what unfolds before us is the absorbing, involving deterioration of this once wonderful family in this once wonderful town.

DANCE SPECTACLE

Four weeks ago, the 70-plus members of Ballet Folklorico de Mexico were faced with a quandary they never encountered in more than 50 years of touring America -- the possibility of cancelling a performance. Slated to perform for 1,500 United Nations ambassadors and their staffs Sept. 11, the 45 dancers instead ceased warming up, stretching and rehearsing, rendered immobile by news of terrorist attacks on the United States.

Early Music Festival takes the stage

In its ninth year, the Bloomington Early Music Festival explodes with more talent, diversity and precision than ever before, attempting to strengthen and enlighten the Bloomington community. The festival lasts ten days and includes 15 concerts. The festivities combine local, national and international artists, as well as 4th and 5th grade Bloomington children. Workshops, discussions and films also help the festival in completing its mission.

Penn excels in mediocre movie

Somewhere in "I Am Sam" there is a very compelling story. There is a story of a man with the intellectual capacity of a 7-year-old, and the struggles he faces raising his daughter. There is a story of a girl who will be smarter than her father by the time she gets to first grade, and the difficulties she will face in school and at home knowing that Daddy is "different" These two stories are played out in the film's first 35 minutes, at which point the filmmakers chose to abandon them in favor of a courtroom drama. It was an unfortunate decision, because it turned a very insightful and touching film into a frustrating yawner.

Knight decries Brand's words

Former basketball coach Bob Knight waived confidentiality rights to his personnel file and denounced statements by IU President Myles Brand as "false and misleading" in an affidavit filed Wednesday in the Indiana Court of Appeals. Knight also said he'd like more information about what led to his firing in September 2000 for violations of a "zero-tolerance" policy.

Digital video kills 'Tape'

Officers prepare for celebrations

Indiana State Police, Monroe County sheriffs and Bloomington and IU police officers will be in and around Bloomington for Final Four celebrations Saturday night. The IU residence halls will also increase their staff for the weekend to assist the needs of students.

Balancing tradition and courtesy

Ah, Halloween. Pumpkins, hay rides, cider, candy...toilet paper. This basic household item an alternate use come October. Some students, on and off campus and in fraternities and sororities, use toilet paper to prank.

Reaching toward the dream

Monday's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration is intended to be more than a day off for students, faculty and Bloomington residents. A variety of activities will take place Monday, including an interfaith prayer service, a concert for freedom, a unity summit and march and a celebration lecture by Mary Frances Berry, chair of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. IU students will also participate in the community-wide "A Day On! Not a Day Off," a volunteering blitz matching student organizations with community service agencies.