Region

Hands in the federal pocketbook

By Alyson Brodsy and Tony Sams · Monday, Feb. 10,2003 11:54 p.m.

The federal budget is boring. I mean, really boring. You might think it's boring hearing or reading about it, but I'm actually writing about it, so think about how boring it is for me. Then think about how well I slept afterward. But it's an important topic very worthy of discussion because it's relevant to everyone. The problem: how does one approach discussing a thing like this? The last thing I want to do while I'm sitting in class, completely bored, is look down to read an article that's so much more boring that it makes me want to pay attention to the class.

Double-standardized tests

By Elisha Sauers · Monday, Feb. 10,2003 11:52 p.m.

If you tote your cell phone to class, make sure it's only for the sake of staying connected to gossip and booty calls. Some University of Maryland students decided to use their phones for a more academic-oriented reason, and now they suffer the consequences of automatic failing grades and permanent notations on their transcripts indicating that they cheated.

Tradition put to the side

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, Feb. 10,2003 11:51 p.m.

Forty-eight years of tradition has been thrown to the wayside by the IU Student Foundation. Citing a decline in spectator interest, worn-down tricycles and a hope that the new Little Fifty relay running race will fill the void, IUSF cancelled the annual Mini 500 tricycle race, ending the Mini 500's 48-year run as a highlight of Little 500 week. We feel that IUSF's decision to cancel the race was made hastily, without considering alternative solutions.

Dissident given life in prison

By Audra Ang · Monday, Feb. 10,2003 11:49 p.m.

BEIJING -- A U.S.-based Chinese dissident was convicted Monday and sentenced to life in prison on charges of spying and terrorism, ending a bizarre saga that involved allegations of cross-border kidnapping and hostages found tied up in a temple. Outraged activists rejected the charges against Wang Bingzhang as false and politically motivated.

Charity head found guilty

By Mike Robinson · Monday, Feb. 10,2003 11:48 p.m.

CHICAGO -- The head of an Islamic charity linked by federal prosecutors to Osama bin Laden pleaded guilty Monday to racketeering charges but did not admit any connection to the terrorist mastermind.

Hussein sets soldiers for war

By Will Lester · Monday, Feb. 10,2003 11:47 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is prepositioning military troops in civilian areas to use them as shields in the event of war, a White House official said Monday. Spokesman Scott McClellan, accompanying President Bush on a trip to Nashville, Tenn., cited intelligence information but did not elaborate. He said Bush would present the allegations in a speech later Monday to a convention of religious broadcasters.

Networks refuse popular HBO show

By Alyson Brodsy and David Bauder · Monday, Feb. 10,2003 11:46 p.m.

NEW YORK -- Three of the four biggest broadcast networks said Monday they have no interest in airing a sanitized version of HBO's Emmy Award-winning comedy "Sex and the City." The fourth network, CBS, would not comment on the possibility. Published reports, first in Variety on Friday, said HBO had approached executives at ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox about airing an edited "Sex and the City" as a prime-time series, starting this fall.

Around The Arts

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, Feb. 10,2003 11:45 p.m.

NEW YORK -- Dude, yer gettin' busted! The actor who gained fame and a cult following as the slacker "Steven" in commercials for Dell computers was arrested buying a small bag of marijuana, police said. PASADENA, Calif. -- Her television adventures may be over, but "Xena: Warrior Princess" still attracts a crowd.

Chick flick finds box office gold

By Alyson Brodsy and David Germain · Monday, Feb. 10,2003 11:44 p.m.

LOS ANGELES -- Critics called it a bad date movie, but "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" courted movie-goers to the tune of $24.1 million in its first weekend for a No. 1 debut. The martial-arts action comedy "Shanghai Knights" opened in second place with $19.8 million, according to studio estimates Sunday. The musical "Chicago," which tripled its theater count to 1,841 cinemas, climbed to No. 3 with $10.7 million, lifting its total to $63.7 million since opening in limited release at Christmas.

Young dancers showcase talent

By Jane Charney · Monday, Feb. 10,2003 11:43 p.m.

It always amazes me when men possess grace. Female ballerinas have it naturally, but male ballet dancers are incredible in their ability to jump, do complicated dance steps and stand on point, seemingly without effort. Saturday night saw a diverse audience come for a taste of the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company at the IU Auditorium. The ABT Studio Company is a classical company featuring 12 handpicked young dancers from all over the world. Ranging in age from 16 to 21, the dancers train with expert choreographers to prepare for the American Ballet Theatre.

Billboards tout IU accomplishments

Monday, Feb. 10,2003 11:42 p.m.

Billboards tout IU accomplishments INDIANAPOLIS -- IU has started hanging billboard advertisements along the highways running through the state's capital to show what its graduates are doing for the state.

Performance lacks passion

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, Feb. 10,2003 11:39 p.m.

An evening of music by Maurice Ravel and Hector Berlioz should be full of spectacular colors and daring playing. This was the case only about half the time in Sunday night's Symphony Orchestra concert, conducted by Christopher Larkin, a British-trained brass player and conductor.

Indy plans 22-story hotel

Monday, Feb. 10,2003 11:39 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- A 22-story luxury hotel and condominium tower is being proposed for a long-vacant spot just a block from the city's Monument Circle. Plans for the $75 million project were announced Monday by city officials. The tower -- at Illinois and Washington streets next to Circle Centre mall -- would have 220 hotel rooms and 24 condominiums.

Baghdad OKs U-2 flights

By Charles J. Hanley · Monday, Feb. 10,2003 2:45 p.m.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraq approved U-2 surveillance flights on Monday -- a key demand of inspectors searching for banned weapons -- as major European countries sought to slow the march to a military showdown.

IU Hispanics face struggles

By Asma Khalid · Monday, Feb. 10,2003 2:42 p.m.

On the wall behind Jorge Chapa's desk hangs an autographed poster of Mel Casa's painting "Barrio Dog." "You can tell it's a barrio-dog," said Chapa, the director of the Latino Studies Department, turning around to inspect the print. "Bow-Guau," he said, reading off the picture. "It's barking half in Spanish, half in English."

Billboard advertisements tout Indiana University

Monday, Feb. 10,2003 2:42 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana University has started hanging billboard advertisements along the highways running through the state's capitol to show what its graduates are doing for the state.

on the SIDELINES

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, Feb. 10,2003 1 a.m.

ATLANTA -- On a night for Michael Jordan, all he was missing was the game-winning shot.

Men's swim wins two big meets

By Alyson Brodsy · Monday, Feb. 10,2003 12:55 a.m.

The No. 25 IU men's swimming and diving team (8-1, 4-1 Big Ten) finished out their dual meet season this past weekend with two victories after being the underdogs going into both meets. The seniors led the Hoosiers in their last meet at the Counsilman Billingsley Aquatic Center where they defeated

Women's track shows improvement

By Kristen Louderback and Kristin Louderback · Monday, Feb. 10,2003 12:54 a.m.

The IU women's track and field team proved that it is taking the right steps toward a successful season Friday and Saturday at the Indiana Invitational.

IU gives solid showing at meet

By Steve Hinson · Monday, Feb. 10,2003 12:52 a.m.

The Indiana Invitational, the opening home meet for the No. 17 men's track and field team, was highlighted by the individual efforts of the athletes this weekend. Team scores were not kept during the meet, but the Hoosiers were able to earn victories in six events.