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Everyone can use a good LAUGH

At a recent Full Frontal Comedy show in the Indiana Memorial Union, the room breaks into laughter as audience members yell suggestions to the comedians on stage for an improvisational sketch. The performers are laughing right along with their crowd, and the room is full of energy.

Jet Li vs. the French in 'K.O.D'

Pakistan proposes troop withdrawal

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan called for talks with India on a mutual reduction of troops along their tense border and offered on Tuesday to restore transport links cut last month because of the crisis over Kashmir. However, India repeated its demand that Pakistan halt what the Indians call "cross-border terrorism," meaning attacks by Pakistani-based militants against Indian rule in Kashmir. India said Tuesday that six suspected Islamic militants and a paramilitary trooper were killed during gunbattles across the cease-fire line in Kashmir. There was no comment from Pakistan.

'The Majestic' is a bit too sappy

To promote post-Sept. 11 patriotism, movie theaters are showing a short film before "The Majestic" filled with clips from old movies about American idealism and courage. This little film is definitely schmaltzy, but at the same time the intent behind it is so genuine that a viewer can't help but get shivery and teary.

Harvard declines subpoena from tobacco industry

(U-WIRE) CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Harvard University recently rebuffed the efforts of the tobacco industry to subpoena a half-century of Harvard research records. According to University Attorney Diane E. Lopez, Harvard received a legal notice this fall from the industry's lawyers asking for all the records from any federally funded scientific research involving smoking within the last 50 years. The subpoena also asked for documents on 54 specific research projects conducted by the University since 1961. A spokesperson for the companies declined to disclose exactly how they planned to use the Harvard research; however, the subpoena is part of the tobacco industry's defense efforts against the ongoing lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice in fall 1999.

Violence in rap trickles down to all listeners

It has been five long years for Suge Knight. Locked up in Mule Creek State Prison near Sacramento, Calif., Knight has served the majority of his nine-year sentence for violating parole and looks forward to taking a nice, long bath upon release next week, according to Newsweek.

Around The Region

ATA adds more flights from Indianapolis Miss District of Columbia is crowned Miss USA

Savory recipes

FOOLPROOF CHEESE FONDUE FOR FRIENDS 2 large garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons butter 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1 14-ounce can evaporated milk 4 cups (2 8-ounce packages) Italian or 4-cheese blend shredded cheese 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Saudis want U.S. detainees home

GUANTANAMO BAY NAVAL BASE, Cuba — Saudi Arabia said Monday that more than 100 of its citizens are in U.S. custody at Guantanamo Bay, making Saudis by far the largest group of terrorist suspects detained on this remote U.S. naval base. Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef urged the United States to turn over the Saudi detainees for interrogation at home. In Washington, President Bush said ``we'll make a decision on a case-by-case basis as to whether they go back to Saudi Arabia or not.'' The president did not comment on the number of Saudis being held. The disclosure Monday that more than half of the detainees on Guantanamo Bay are Saudis clarified some of the mystery over the nationalities of the 158 men who spend their days in orange jumpsuits and open-air cells at a heavily fortified camp in eastern Cuba.

Man wounded in shootout with deputies

A Bloomington man faces charges of attempted murder after two sheriff's deputies were shot at late Wednesday night. Police returned fire during the standoff, and a sheriff's deputy shot the man they say was shooting at them. Around 11 p.m. Wednesday, a neighbor called the sheriff's department to reporting shooting coming from the area of 2900 W. Vernal Pike, police reports said.

Music school finalists named

The search for a permanent School of Music dean has been narrowed to four finalists -- one from within the University and three from the outside. Interim music school Dean Gwyn Richards, along with James Forger, Michigan State University School of Music director; Jeffrey Babcock, chief executive officer and general director of the Boston Ballet; and Jeffrey Kimpton, University of Minnesota School of Music director, have been named finalists by a search committee made up of faculty, students and staff.

Hoosiers optimistic for new season

Interpreted word for word, the women's soccer team's goal for the 2001 season may not seem profound. But coach Joe Kelley maintains that if his team plays its hardest, the Hoosiers can expect an improvement on last year's 8-9-1 record. "It may sound so trite, but we just want to play really well. Every game we want to compete," Kelley said. "We want to go out and play with pride and outwork the other team. Beyond that obviously we're judged by wins and losses. It would be great if things fell our way, but we've got to make our breaks."

Got Mike?

Like Mike -- PGStarring: Bow Wow, Morris ChestnutDirected by: John SchultzShowing: Showplace East 11

Students picked for the Board of Aeons

First year Chancellor Sharon Brehm has chosen six students to serve as new members of a panel to represent student opinion in the administration. The Board of Aeons, established in 1921 by IU President William Lowe Bryan, officially functions as a link between the student body and the administration. The students are nominated by faculty and staff, based on excellence in academics and student leadership.

Junior 'Jeopardy' finalist moves on

IU junior Brett Dvorak has qualified for the semifinal round of 'College Jeopardy.' In the quarterfinals, broadcast Tuesday night, Dvorak finished behind Thomas Zamora from the University of Southern California and Mysti Kofford from Boston University, but finished with a total high enough to qualify for the next round.

Journalists worked hard until the end

The goal of a journalist is to seek the truth and report it. For some journalists, fulfilling that mission meant making the ultimate sacrifice. Recently, four foreign journalists were killed in pursuit of the truth. Maria Grazia Cutuli, Harry Burton, Azizullah Haidari and Julio Fuentes were stopped, dragged out of their van, and shot. Two Afghan drivers and one translator were able to escape and warn the eight to 13 other vehicles full of journalists in the convoy of media vans behind them.

Theft of money despicable act

Last week someone stole $1,300 from the IU Student Association offices. The money was earmarked for disaster relief funds. According to the American Red Cross, that much money would feed a family of four for two weeks. It would pay for 20 days of meals and hotel stays for a displaced victim. It would be enough to provide emergency shelter and food for 250 people for one day.

Soothe the soul with pudding

January is here: hooray for it! In January, you do not need to charm or entertain. You do not need to put on a performance. All you have to do is appear, sit in your required seat, listen or not listen, smile or not smile. The sheer relief of January quiet is enough to make anyone turn to pudding. And turn to pudding is exactly what I do: bread pudding and stirred pudding most often, but even a ready-made cup of pudding when time is short.

Hoosiers not on TV

After seasons of constant television coverage, the men's basketball team will take a hit this season. And we have the economy to thank, IU Media Relations Director Jeff Fanter said. Seven of IU's first 12 games - including two exhibition contests - will not be televised. Sunday's exhibition victory against Athletes in Action was the first. Other games that will not be televised include Nike Elite, Charlotte, Southern Illinois, Ball State and both Hoosier Classic contests. IU's game against Miami of Florida will be broadcast regionally on the Sunshine Network.

Silent day to symbolize oppression

Every day, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people are oppressed, said graduate student Barry Magee, director of the CommUNITY Educators. Members of the GLBT community and their allies will protest this silencing Wednesday during the National Day of Silence, "Making the Silence Visible."