Community Arts

Tensions in Mideast hurting French Jews

CRETEIL, France -- The call came in the middle of the night. When Rahamim Oliel picked up the phone, he learned that the Ozar Hatorah school he directed -- the Jewish place of learning he had cherished for 28 years -- had been set ablaze. That same night, vandals tried to deface the only synagogue in Creteil, a grim suburb just south of Paris where the city blocks are studded with cheerless, socialist-style apartment complexes. Despondent, Oliel, a small man who wears the black hat and long beard associated with conservative Jews, said he realized then that a climate of open anti-Semitism had returned to France some six decades after the Nazi horror.

Aussies support Prime Mimister's refugee stance

CHRISTMAS ISLAND, Australia -- For nine days, Prime Minister John Howard faced a barrage of international criticism for refusing to let a boatload of refugees enter Australia. But opinion polls Tuesday showed Australians overwhelmingly supported his hard-line stance.

Students 'let the good times roll' for Homecoming

It's official: "Let the Good Times Roll." IU students will be rolling across campus today continuing the week-long homecoming celebration with a parade around Bloomington. The parade starts at 5:30 p.m. with entrants lining up in front of Willkie Quad, 150 N. Rose St. From there, the parade will follow south, turning west onto Third Street. Participants will then turn north onto Indiana Avenue, with the parade concluding at the Sample Gates.

Judge pushes back Kirby sentencing

MARTINSVILLE -- A Morgan County Superior Court Judge has reset Judy Kirby's sentencing from today to June 13. On March 25 last year, an allegedly suicidal Kirby sped the wrong way up Ind. 67 for 1.7 miles, plowing into Thomas Reel's minivan. Reel and his children, Jesica and Bradley, died in a crash that the police estimate occured at a combined speed between 159 and 177 miles per hour. The collision also claimed the lives of Kirby's children, Jordan, Joney and Jacob, and Jeremy Young, a nephew in her care.

Jordan River Forum

'Liberal' disorientation helps humanity IDS wording unfortunate Holding signs doesn't offer solutions

More walkouts threaten racism talks

DURBAN, South Africa -- Under threat of a devastating European walkout, the World Conference Against Racism held closed-door meetings Wednesday to try to find compromise language on the Israel-Palestinian conflict and reparations for slavery. France warned it and the European Union could follow the United States and Israel by quitting the U.N. meeting, which was meant to highlight discrimination around the world but has been marred by discord over efforts to condemn Israel for "racist policies." The conference, which began Aug. 31, is scheduled to end Friday.

Hoosiers head into four-game weekend

Heading into the Indiana Invitational this weekend, the IU softball team looks to hone its skills before getting too far into the spring season schedule and into Big Ten play. The Hoosiers gained vital game experience over spring break as they played 12 games in 11 days and moved their record to 6-10-1. IU's three games scheduled for this past Wednesday and Thursday were postponed because of inclement weather.

Brand, student to change roles

Students now have a unique opportunity to discover what goes into being the president of IU and to get a glimpse of the day-to-day workings of the University. The President for a Day contest, co-sponsored by the IU Student Foundation, IU Student Association and the IU Student Alumni Association, allows one winner to switch roles for a day with President Myles Brand. The student will attend meetings and speak with IU administrators, while Brand attends the student's classes and takes part in his or her other normal activities for that day.

IUSA to appoint director

The IU Student Association gets down to business for the fall semester with its first full meeting at 7 p.m. today in Ballantine Hall 103.

Eclectic band back at Buskirk

In 1991, in a smoke-filled basement of an Ohio bar, the jam began and ekoostik hookah was born. At 7:30 today, the band will bring its eclectic sound to the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave., courtesy of Union Board. Despite falling into the jam band category, percussionist Johnny Polansky said he doesn't want ekoostik hookah to be glued to that label. "Every band jams," said Polansky. In general, he said he doesn't agree with the idea of labeling bands. "Someone may recommend a band and say they sound like this or that. And when you go check them out, you may think, 'What? I didn't hear that at all.'"

Fiji utilizes exchanges, excitement to qualify for pole position

Phi Gamma Delta survived cold temperatures and the exchange problems that plagued many teams to earn the pole position for the 51st Men's Little 500. Fiji earned the pole by recording a time of 2:30.00 Saturday at Bill Armstrong Stadium. Delta Chi and Sigma Phi Epsilon qualified second and third with times three seconds behind that of Fiji.

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.