IUSA

We had spirit, yes we did

You can see them entertaining the crowd, sporting the latest hip-hop moves during the halftime of IU basketball games. A swing of the hip, a flip of the shoulder. These aren't ordinary cheerleaders. This is the pom squad, a mixture of cheer and dance group that performs at IU basketball games and in national competitions.

Alleged terrorist says he plans to testify

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Prosecutors rested their death-penalty case against al-Qaida terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui on Thursday after a former FBI agent testified that investigators might have been able to hunt down Sept. 11, 2001, hijackers if the defendant had confessed before the attacks.

Violence erupts in Paris as students protest law

PARIS -- Demonstrators hurled chunks of concrete at police, who responded by filling a picturesque Paris square with tear gas Thursday as protest marches over a contested jobs law erupted into violence.

Elaine Irwin-Mellencamp joins Tibetan Cultural Center board

In addition to being a model, spokeswoman and wife of a famous rock star, now Elaine Irwin-Mellencamp can add board member of the Tibetan Cultural Center to her diverse list of titles.

Students honor favorite professors at IU Art Museum appreciation reception

Before Thursday night's faculty appreciation reception, Roy Gardner, professor of economics and West European studies, never knew one of his students helped people with autism.

First-year MBA students to compete in case competitions at Kelley school

From 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Friday, graduate students in the Kelley School of Business will be able to practice case interviewing skills in the 2006 "March Madness" Mini-Case Competition. The event, which the Consulting Club of the Kelley school planned, will take place on the graduate side of the business school. Gayatree Jain, a junior MBA candidate, directed the competition.

Taste of Asia to offer food, cultural performances

The IU Auditorium will be filled Sunday with an array of sounds and scents as the IU Asian American Association holds its annual Taste of Asia cultural event. From 5:30 to 8 p.m., the audience can view acts such as Tae Kwon Do demonstrators and Chinese yo-yo performers and be served a range of cuisine from local Asian restaurants.

Professor discusses author's life in concentration camp

Matei Calinescu, professor emeritus of comparative literature and West European studies at IU, discussed author Norman Manea's memoir "The Hooligan's Return" in his lecture Thursday morning in the Indiana Memorial Union Oak Room.

Speaker: Nuclear weapons in Iran could lead to arms race

If Iran attains nuclear weapons, it could lead to a new arms race in the Mideast and the end of the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, said Bradley Gordon, an expert on the region at a lecture Thursday night.

Event showcases sounds, sights of Southeast Asia

A unique event titled "Finding Resonance: Sounds and Chronicles From the World We Walk In" will take place at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the John Waldron Arts Center located at 122 S. Walnut St. Produced by IU senior Zak Rosen, the evening will feature sound collages, audio documentaries and other sound compilations.

Beat boxer brings talents to Bloomington

Beat box actor Yuri Lane will be performing his narrative drama "From Tel Aviv to Ramallah" at 8 p.m. tonight at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater. The performance, which debuted in 2003 at the New York City Hip-Hop Theater Festival, has been on tour ever since, showing primarily at festivals and on college campuses.

Students invited to InMotion Dance company workshop this weekend

Tick. Tick. Boom. The InMotion Dance Explosion Workshop 2006 will detonate in rhythm at 11 a.m. Sunday in the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation room 169 and end at 4 p.m. Dancers ages 15 and older are welcome. The full workshop will cost $15, and a half-day is $10.

Actor's passion to rise in 'Our Country's Good' tonight

Student response mixed on departure

Junior Matt Conroy is embarrassed to be a Hoosier fan right now.

Search for replacement as up in the air as ever

After two conflicting reports in as many days from www.ESPN.com, more questions than answers surround IU's search for its next men's basketball coach. Tuesday night, ESPN columnist Andy Katz reported that Iowa coach Steve Alford was expected to interview with the University of Missouri today.

END OF THE ROAD

Portland woman planning 56th straight state tourney finals

PORTLAND, Ind. -- Doris Northam hadn't planned to attend the Indiana high school boys' basketball finals this year. After all, she's 87 years old, climbing stairs is difficult and, frankly, her interest just wasn't there anymore. But when her hometown team Jay County advanced to the Class 3A championship game, Northam decided to make the trek to Indianapolis one more time -- her 56th finals tourney in a row. "When I was a kid, you know, you went to church and you went to ball games. And that was your entertainment. It was just natural to me," said Northam, who has tickets for all four games at Conseco Fieldhouse on Saturday. "I would have been so disappointed if I had given up on going," she told The Commercial Review.

Oden named Naismith award winner

INDIANAPOLIS -- Greg Oden of Lawrence North High School was named Naismith high school player of the year Wednesday by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. The award, given each year to the top male and female high school players in the nation, will be presented March 29 at the McDonald's All-American Game in San Diego.

A problem with color: The only one that matters is green

Without kicker Adam Vinatieri the New England Patriots would just be another one-team, one-year Super Bowl champion. Without Vinatieri, the Patriots would not have beaten the Oakland Raiders in the snow in the AFC Championship game, and the Tuck Rule would still apply to guys who sit in class day-dreaming. Without Vinatieri, the Patriots would have given Kurt Warner his second Super Bowl ring. And now the Patriots are without Vinatieri.

Soriano finally agrees to move to left field for Nationals

JUPITER, Fla. -- Alfonso Soriano's only chance in left field Wednesday was a reminder of the good old days, before the Washington Nationals finally persuaded him to change positions. Soriano jogged in a few steps to catch a routine fly ball by Albert Pujols, then threw to second base to double off David Eckstein. "I never think I'm going to make a double play in the outfield," Soriano said. "But I did it." Soriano agreed to make the move from second base only two days after refusing to take his new spot in the outfield. The Nationals had a day off Tuesday, giving him time to accept the switch.