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Colombia rebel leader convicted

BOGOTA, Colombia -- A Colombian rebel commander was convicted and sentenced in absentia on Monday to 40 years in prison for the 1999 murder of three American pro-Indian activists, the federal prosecutor's office said. The verdict came a day before Secretary of State Colin Powell's visit to Colombia. Washington broke off tentative peace contacts with Colombia's largest rebel faction following the killings of U.S. citizens Terence Freitas, Ingrid Washinawatok, and Leh'ena'e Gay.

Pageant entertains, excites crowd for hours

Sir Elton given 'Hero' status

LONDON -- Honored for his efforts to help those living with AIDS and HIV, Elton John said he was fortunate not to have contracted the disease. "As a gay man, I'm very lucky not to be infected," he told ITV News Wednesday. "My concern nowadays is that young people think they are invulnerable, but they're not." John was interviewed after the U.K. Coalition of People Living with HIV and AIDS gave him its Hero Award Wednesday night. The honor acknowledged his contributions to the fight against HIV and AIDS through the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Local Libertarian champion for cause

Steve Dillon debated last Wednesday at IU Law School in Indianapolis for the change in anti-drug laws and policies. Dillon has been a player in the Indiana Chapter of the Libertarian Party for years. He has run for Monroe County judge and Indiana governor on the Libertarian party ticket.

Hoosiers lose perfect record in tournament

The Hoosier-Illini men's volleyball tournament against the top teams in the nation March 3 proved that no one is perfect, but after a pre-spring break tournament in Arizona, the men still remain close to perfection with a 27-3 record.

Annual Madrigal Feast offers seasonal spirit

An IU tradition for more than 50 years, the Madrigal Feast is perennially presented in Alumni Hall to patrons wishing for good cheer, hot wassail and seasonal songs. Often unknown to students or seen as something archaic and uninteresting, the Madrigal Feast is usually well attended by families, IU faculty and Bloomington residents. But students usually do not know of the joy that the event can bring.

'By the Way'... this album rocks

It looks as though the members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers have finally removed the tube socks from their nether regions and grown up. By the Way is a marked change from the Chili Peppers' time-tested signature sound -- a driving blend of rock, rap and funk.

Suspects released in Javins case

Four people were arrested in connection with the disappearance of missing Indiana State University student Scott Javins, who investigators believed were responsible for Javins' disappearance, but police have now released two of the four suspects, holding the other two on drug charges. Ronnie Boerner, 23, of Terre Haute, allegedly lied to police about information on Javins. The woman, who investigators say admitted lying about the involvement of four people in the college student's two-month-old disappearance, pleaded innocent Wednesday to a charge of false informing.

Hoosiers, Badgers ready to settle score

Junior forward Kirk Haston said roommate and sophomore guard Kyle Hornsby has some of the ugliest feet he's ever seen. But how far the Hoosiers advance in the Big Ten tournament could depend on how Hornsby's right foot feels after spraining his ankle Saturday against Purdue.

New policy could save many lives

Thursday two Air Force generals were granted the authority to order fighter jets to shoot down a civilian plane if it appears to threaten an American city or enter restricted airspace. The authority belonged chiefly to President Bush or Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, but now two generals stationed in Florida and Alaska can make the call.

Spruced-up war flick shines on DVD

Pearl Harbor: The Director's Cut -- RStarring: Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, Kate BeckinsaleDirected by: Michael Bay

Former hotel staff fights back

Former Courtyard by Marriott employee LeAnne Jarvis received a rude awakening when, just a week after earning employee-of-the-month honors, she was laid off. Jarvis and 11 other since-discarded employees were shocked in late October and early November of 2001, when they were told to pick up their final paychecks.

Business practices leave consumer confidence low

The central bank of the United States is not sure about a strong economic recovery from the recent recession. The judgment about the economic condition is largely due to a decline in current consumer confidence. Further, the central bank worries about the future labor market that can further deteriorate the consumer confidence that was already betrayed by the fraudulent and deceptive corporate practices.

Researchers study aging adults with Down syndrome

An IU research team is striving to understand the aging process for adults with Down syndrome. A study led by Barbara Hawkins, professor and director of the Center on Aging and Aged, has enabled researchers to comprehend aging differences between adults with Down syndrome and those without.

Evansville 'Ace' spoils Hoosiers' home opener

Valuable lessons can be learned from a loss. But it becomes harder to accept losing as a learning experience when it happens twice in one day. Perhaps the greatest lesson learned in the softball team's 5-2 and 4-3 losses to Evansville Tuesday was a tutorial in "Maggie Ross 101." The ace of the Aces' pitching staff was the Missouri Valley Conference's Pitcher of the Year in 2000, and if any Hoosiers (9-17) didn't know of her abilities before, they know now.

Cheney supports Saudi proposal

MANAMA, Bahrain -- Vice President Dick Cheney, nearing an end of his tour of Arab countries, acknowledged Sunday that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has become "a preoccupation for everyone" in the region.

Public radio fights commercialism

Local public radio station WFIU/103.7FM has begun a week of fund-raising amid decreased federal subsidies and reduced citizen support for public radio. Local stations and National Public Radio have adapted to their financial situations by seeking increased support from program underwriters. Public broadcasting has been in a steady and rapid worldwide decline during the last decade.

Bank One looks at returning to campus

A year after Bank One ATMs were kicked off campus by the University, four of the company's cash machines could return in the coming months -- at least one is expected to be in place in the fall. Representatives from Bank One, the University and the IU Student Association worked out some of the remaining issues during a conference call Friday. Student groups will draw up a "needs" proposal that addresses possible locations. The proposal will go to the University, then Bank One, and if terms are reached, ATMs will be installed in about 60 days, at a cost to Bank One of about $30,000 apiece. Locations that have been discussed include the Main Library, McNutt Quad, Ballantine Hall and the Indiana Memorial Union.

'Swordfish': throw it back

Personality is one key to unlocking a successful movie. Most action movies explode with unbelievable stunts, car chases and last-second heroics. A lack of realism hurts almost every action flick. But what separates a "Double Team" and a "Die Hard" is a good personality portrayed well by an actor like Bruce Willis. Imagine Jean Claude Van Damme saying "Yippe-kay-yay motherf****r." Not cool. This is successful when good writing, directing and casting all come together. It seemed the only thing "Swordfish" tried hard to do well was showing Halle Berry topless, which definitely did not hurt this movie.

Anthrax scares sweep countries

SYDNEY, Australia -- Dozens of government workers in Australia were hosed down after their office received a letter containing white powder. A U.S. consulate received a similar scare and in Germany on Monday, officials were investigating a powdery substance found in the mailroom of Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's offices.