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'American Pie 2' cooks up laughs

The most disappointing thing about "American Pie 2" was that Shannon Elizabeth announced that she'd become a serious actress and wouldn't be taking off her clothes for the sequel. But despite the lack of Nadia's chest, Jim, Oz, Kevin, Finch, Stifler and his mom return to equal, if not top, the original pie-humping comedy.

Israel draws fire with night attack

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said Wednesday that Israel would withdraw troops from some West Bank cities and had released millions of dollars in frozen tax money in concessions to Palestinians after stinging criticism of an airstrike that killed 14 civilians as well as a Hamas leader.

Alone in first place

Wednesday night, the Hoosiers played zone defense, something they almost never do. Wednesday night, IU used a trapping press to try to disrupt Ohio State, a tactic the Hoosiers almost never use. The Hoosiers were playing for first place in the Big Ten last night, late in February, something it hasn't done for nearly a decade.

New Afghan leader choosing new cabinet

KABUL, Afghanistan - The United States interceded Tuesday in the process of selecting a new Afghan government, telling President Hamid Karzai that his Cabinet must win the approval of the grand council. Karzai delayed announcing his lineup for another day.

President Bush appoints IU professor to Holocaust Memorial Committee

Professor Alvin Rosenfeld has secured IU more national attention - for the second time. Rosenfeld, director of Jewish studies, has been appointed by President George W. Bush to a council that oversees the world renowned United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. A former member of the Memorials education committee, as well as a special advisor to its chairman, Rosenfeld has been a diligent researcher of the Holocaust for over 30 years.

Field finalized for Indy 500

INDIANAPOLIS -- Arie Luyendyk led a surprising speed show Sunday that filled a record-setting field for the Indianapolis 500 before rain cut short the last day of qualifying.

Straight No Chaser says goodbye to seniors

With cameras flashing, lights dimming, hands clapping and people screaming, tuxedo-clad members of Straight No Chaser took their place on stage Tuesday night.

Counties debate cost of saving aging bridges

County officials across Indiana are finding that saving the state's aging concrete and steel bridges is a task increasingly at odds with concerns about their safety and the cost of maintaining them.

Best-selling author receives award at IU

Jean Auel, an award winning and best selling author, sparked an evening of excitement for many in Bloomington, Thursday. The Center for Research into the Anthropological Foundations of Technology (CRAFT) presented Auel with an outstanding craftsmanship award, while promoting its new research center just north of campus, which is expected to be done in a year.

Final curtain falls on University Theatre

Simultaneous feelings of sadness and joy soared through the University Theatre as the curtains closed after the final performance of "Waiting for Godot" Saturday. The lights will be dimmed and the doors will be closed until the theater's renovation, which will occur in the next few years. The fate of the room that has served as the University Theatre is uncertain, but it might reopen as a lecture hall.

Rounder brings light to folk traditions

Cambridge-based Rounder Records has always prided itself on presenting the widest variety of traditional folk and roots music in North America. That difficult but admirable goal is represented by two of the label's June releases: One a live, two-disc set from Cape Breton fiddle player Natalie MacMaster, the other a compilation of 1930s aluminum and acetate recordings of spirituals and work songs from a tiny enclave of African Americans in South Carolina.

Council approves funds

The Bloomington City Council approved more than $1 million dollars in grants Wednesday night. The money will be distributed from the Community Development Block Grant to many local programs and non-profit agencies.

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