Region

More nations protest U.S. trade law

GENEVA -- Canada and Mexico on Monday joined countries asking the World Trade Organization to rule on the legality of a U.S. law that passes on to American companies fines levied on foreign firms. Under the Byrd amendment, enacted last year, tens of millions of dollars in fines collected by the U.S. government will be handed over to companies that lodge complaints against foreign exporters judged to be "dumping" products at artificially low prices. The complainants contend that the law punishes exporters twice, first they are fined and then those fines are handed to their U.S. competitors.

Hoosiers to face battle at Legends

The Hoosiers begin play in the Legends Shootout today in Franklin, Ind., hoping to build on their fourth place finish at the Northern Invitational Sept. 23.

Fabolous performs at ZBT tonight

Little 500 week is well underway, and as always, it has brought a few visitors to town. Tonight at 7 p.m., Zeta Beta Tau fraternity will play host to rap artist Fabolous, along with special guest Holistic, for an evening of lyrical flow and steady hip-hop beats.

Psst... Baseball Season is Here

With Final Four fever sweeping campus, it is easy to let the start of the Major League Baseball season slide by, but ignoring the start would be a bad way to kick off one of the most anticipated seasons in recent memory. This year, there are many intriguing questions that will be answered, with collective-bargaining topping the slate.

Recruiting key to Big Ten's ability to compete nationally

Heading into this week's Women's Swimming & Diving NCAA Championships in Austin, Texas, there are six Big Ten squads ranked in the College Swim Coaches Association of America Top 25. No. 13 Penn State leads the Big Ten pack, with the five schools ranked between 16 and 22. Only Virginia (14), North Carolina (15), Pacific (19) and Maryland (20) breaks up the run of Big Ten schools in the middle of the rankings. Michigan, Wisconsin and Northwestern are ranked 16-18, while IU is No. 21 and Purdue is No. 22 to round out the ranked Big Ten squads.

Forum brings Brand to students

IU President Myles Brand will field questions from an audience of students tonight. He will introduce himself, explain his duties, then embark on a question-and-answer session with students from 7-8 p.m. today in Woodburn Hall 100. Though the event is open to everyone, only students will be allowed to ask questions. "We feel that as president he has an obligation to speak to the students," said IU Student Association President Jake Oakman, a senior. "I feel this will be a positive event and hopefully one that will continue on an annual basis."

Sean May commits to North Carolina

Sean May won't follow in his father's footsteps. Or his brother's. The Bloomington High School North standout forward verbally committed Sunday to play at North Carolina. In doing so, May turned down the chance to play alongside his older brother, Scott May Jr. a freshman walk-on at IU this season, and the opportunity to play at the same school where his father, Scott May, won a national championship and was the college player of the year in 1976. North Athletics Director Ralph Sieboldt confirmed the report Monday and said he didn't expect a press conference.

Awards time

Never mind the ankle injury. That's healing. Now, Mike Davis can finally stop campaigning. It paid off. Jared Jeffries' tender ankle should be sturdy enough for Friday's Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament game against Michigan State, and it should be strong enough for the 2001 Big Ten Freshman of the Year to carry his new hardware. Tuesday -- after a season of boasting from Davis -- Jeffries was named the unanimous choice for the 2002 Big Ten Player of the Year, chosen by both the league coaches and the media. The last Hoosier to unanimously win the honor was Brian Evans in 1996.

Prosecutor's office finally launches program

At long last, the Serious Habitual Offender Comprehensive Action Program is underway in Monroe County. Local government officials announced last Friday that the program recently received a $56,969 start-up grant through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. The institute made the award to reduce juvenile delinquency and increase the accountability of juvenile offenders, a spokesman said. It is the second such grant awarded to the program.

The real world isn't so bad after all

This column was never supposed to happen this way. I had planned to eventually write a column urging you to stop and smell the IU tulips because the "real world" of working in a city from 9 to 5 is no eternal picnic.

Couples reflect on relationships, love

After watching hours of "Blind Date" and "Dismissed," it's hard to believe that true love still exists. Even so, it is possible for it to happen in college, where random hook-ups seem to be commonplace. Cupid is still shooting arrows and hitting targets; sophomore Julia Brannon and Ryan Gottschling are prime examples.

Republicans to showcase statewide candidates today

INDIANAPOLIS -- More than 2,000 Republican delegates are expected to gather in Indianapolis Thursday to nominate candidates for statewide office and begin gearing up for the fall campaign season.

'One for the Pot'

The Brown County Playhouse's most recent production hits the stage today, continuing every weekend through the rest of August. "One for the Pot," written by British playwrights Ray Cooney and Tony Hilton, is a "riotous farce" set in 1950s England. Jonathan Hardcastle (played by George R. Bookwalter) decides to give £10,000 to the son of his late business partner, provided he's the only living relative. With so much money on the line, a colorful cast of characters show up to try to get their hands in the pot. Director Bruce Burgun said in a press release that farce is difficult to pull off on stage because of "the chaos in which (it) thrives." "Chaos per se is not funny," he said. "It must be highly organized chaos to be effective."

Powell presses Sharon for Israeli pullback

RAMALLAH, West Bank -- Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat rebuffed Secretary of State Colin Powell's demand Sunday for a halt to violence, saying Israel first must withdraw its troops from the West Bank.

Community comes together

Bloomington residents plan to come together at the southeast section of the Monroe County Courthouse lawn at 7 p.m. Thursday evening for healing after last week's terrorist attacks in, "A Community Gathering for Remembrance and Unity."

Selig says no lockout through World Series

NEW YORK -- Baseball commissioner Bud Selig pledged Tuesday not to lock out players through the World Series but left open the chance that owners would impose new work rules during the offseason, a move that could trigger another strike this summer. The players' union, operating without a labor contract since Nov. 7, 2001 quickly interpreted Selig's statement as a veiled threat to impose vast economic changes as soon as the postseason ends.

Affidavit outlines events leading up to coach's firing

Affidavit and Waiver of Robert Montgomery Knight filed Oct. 3 with the Indiana Court of Appeals. 1. I am the ROBERT MONTGOMERY KNIGHT who originally contracted with the Trustees of Indiana University in 1972, and who agreed via written extension on June 27, 1982 to provide my services as coach of the Indiana University Men's Basketball Team. 2. At all times prior to the execution of the June 27, 1982 contract, which was an extension of my original contract of 1972, it was made clear to me that the only way that I could be terminated from my position pursuant to paragraph 9 of that contract would be if a majority of the Trustees of Indiana University would vote in favor of my termination....

No Doubt about it: this album rocks

The Billboard Top 200 has Rock Steady listed as No. 13 for the week for Jan. 12. People are listening to No Doubt and becoming new fans, and it's easy to understand why with their new album, Rock Steady.

Cartoon music makes for candy apples

The Apples in Stereo is a rarity in today's popular music. Arguably the most anachronistic and eccentric of the Elephant 6 set (the group of 1960s-worshipping bands including Neutral Milk Hotel, Olivia Tremor Control and The Minders, among others), Robert Schneider and his Apples have already adeptly displayed their unique vision in four full-length albums and a concept EP. And with this summer's release of Let's Go, the band has proven it can also write for cartoons.

Quirky Richman collection delivers