Region

Troops move on Taliban

By Alyson Brodsy and Kathy Gannon · Friday, Nov. 30,2001 12:02 a.m.

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Anti-Taliban fighters battled the Islamic militia Thursday on the outskirts of Kandahar, the ousted regime's last bastion, a key northern alliance commander said. The Taliban's supreme leader declared the decisive battle "has now begun."

Poms face harsh cuts

By Katie Schoenbaechler and Katie Shoenbaechler · Friday, Nov. 30,2001 12 a.m.

Standing in the pouring rain last Saturday, the IU pom squad was prepared to cheer the football team to its first victory against Purdue since 1996. But before they took the field, the team listened to an unexpected announcement. The women were told that their athletic department funding had been canceled. Without the funding, the pom and crimson squads would not be able to travel to the national competition that they had been working for since August.

Hard-hitting captain taking on new roles

By Michael Sherman · Friday, Nov. 30,2001 12 a.m.

When defenseman Brad Lutsch ended his college hockey career last season, many thought IU's lethal power play would soon follow. As the Hoosiers' all time leader in goals, assists and points, Lutsch was a four-year stalwart on the power play and effectively fulfilled the role of the team's strongest defenseman. But after a rocky start, the Hoosiers are up to their old tricks with the man advantage, most recently displayed last week when they went 3-for-5 against top competition in the Big Ten Classic.

Brand: Cuts are painful for everyone

By Bennet Haeberle and Bennett Haeberle · Thursday, Nov. 29,2001 11:59 p.m.

If Gov. Frank O'Bannon's proposed state budget cuts are approved, IU students will face an increased technology services fee, while some employees in the IU Physical Plant and at University Information Technology Services could lose their jobs. But the majority of the cuts will affect administrative areas like travel expenses, supply costs and hirings, IU President Myles Brand said.

Basketball starters spark stellar play

By Ryan Lengerich · Thursday, Nov. 29,2001 11:59 p.m.

As an elementary student, college basketball coach was my response when asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wanted to cut the net down after a championship victory, to teach future superstars, or to celebrate like Jim Valvano. Thank you Mike Davis for proving why coaching college basketball is a dream I will never realize.

Lady Hoosiers prepare for home tournament

By Nate Rau · Thursday, Nov. 29,2001 11:57 p.m.

The women's basketball team learned something in its 97-72 win against Butler Wednesday. Winning isn't everything. Although the outcome of the game was never really in question, the Hoosiers dominating the whole way, IU left the locker room in Hinkle Fieldhouse with almost a look of defeat on their faces. Almost. Getting a win under their belts was important for a Hoosier team that has played with No. 7 Stanford and No. 9 North Carolina State. At 2-2, the Hoosiers are now ready to continue to improve and add to their two game win streak.

Researchers: law makes students irresponsible

By Rachel Thexton · Thursday, Nov. 29,2001 11:56 p.m.

Nineteen-year-old Andy Herche can kill people for his country and buy a handgun from the local gun shop if he wishes, but he can't legally drink a glass of wine or a can of beer in his own home.

Hoosiers to face Wildcats in season finale

By Sara Meinecke and Sarah Meinecke · Thursday, Nov. 29,2001 11:53 p.m.

Freshman linebacker Herana-Daze Jones is not asking for much out of the IU offense. He just wants them to find the end zone 15 times this Saturday at Memorial Stadium against rival Kentucky. "I want to score 100 points against Kentucky," Jones, a Kentucky native, said. "I don't think (the seniors) have beaten them since they have been here, and it would be great to send them out with a win. I hope we run up the score against them. I hope we blow them out." Ahh, yet another rival game, and more talking. But the Hoosiers (4-6, 4-4 Big Ten) aren't bad-mouthing the Kentucky (2-8, 1-7 SEC) team, they just have one objective: blow Kentucky away.

Waldron art sale brings holiday cheer

By Kristina Muren · Thursday, Nov. 29,2001 11:02 p.m.

The John Waldron Arts Center, 122 S. Walnut St., celebrated the beginning of the holiday season last week with the opening of its Winterfest Holiday Art Sale, currently presented in the center's galleries. The event, featuring work from local artists, is a fundraiser for the Bloomington Area Arts Council, which runs the center.

Dogs help make life a walk in the park

By Ryan Whirty · Thursday, Nov. 29,2001 11:02 p.m.

At first I was very self-conscious about walking Dorothy and Toto. I mean, I'm a big guy, an ex-football player and a big Stones fan. I'm not supposed to be seen in public with two pugs. They're so tiny and ... well, cute. And they have curly tails. Here I am, going for the Grizzly Adams look, but instead of a huge, scary-looking bear, I'm walking two little rug rats. For the first week I was in town, my housemates were on vacation and entrusted me with caring for the mutts. So for eight days, I it was my job to walk the little buggers. In public. For everyone to see. Me and the pugs. I was mortified.

The life of a woman under the Taliban

By Sarah Payton · Thursday, Nov. 29,2001 11:01 p.m.

I had a dream last night. The setting of the dream: Kabul, Afghanistan. The scary creature lurking underneath my bed: the Taliban. In this dream, I could no longer work at the job I love to hate. Under the Taliban, women can't have a job outside of the home except for in the health industry. Because I am a disaster around blood and needles, my only choice is to remain at home. Even if I was to take a job in a hospital, I couldn't speak to any men and I would be permanently separated from them on the job. Eight hours on a Saturday night at a job I ignorantly take for granted now is a walk in the park compared to my job at home during this dream.

A step in the right direction

Thursday, Nov. 29,2001 10:59 p.m.

IU President Myles Brand announced Thursday what will become a major change in the finances of the University. For the most part, it was a step in the right direction. Brand made plans to accommodate the $57 million cuts from the state and is starting with the top. He recommended that each chancellor on the eight IU campuses cut their budgets by a set amount. How they do that is up to them. Brand also suggested delaying filling administrative positions.

Afghan factions approaching tentative deal at German peace talks

By Alyson Brodsy and Tony Czuczka · Thursday, Nov. 29,2001 10:57 p.m.

KOENIGSWINTER, Germany -- Afghan factions meeting to work out a post-Taliban government moved Thursday toward agreement on an interim administration to run the country, and the northern alliance dropped its objection to an international security force to secure peace there.

Council votes for water rate hike, WonderLab gift shop

By James Boyd · Thursday, Nov. 29,2001 10:56 p.m.

The Bloomington City Council gave preliminary approval for a proposed water rate increase last night. The proposal, which would increase the average user's water bill by about $1.70 per month, passed 6-0-3. Council members Jason Banach, Patricia Cole and David Sabbagh opted to pass until next week's final vote before making a recommendation.

Tampa Bay deserves time to shine please

By Benjy Ekhaus · Thursday, Nov. 29,2001 1:13 a.m.

The door is about to fall over. At least it had better, or else the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will realize that it will never be answered; they will never get into the promised land that is the Super Bowl.

CIA agent killed in Afghanistan

By John J. Lumpkin · Thursday, Nov. 29,2001 1:12 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Rioting prisoners killed CIA officer "Johnny Mike" Spann at Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan, the agency said Wednesday. He was the first American killed in action inside the country since U.S. bombing began seven weeks earlier. Officials recovered his body from the prison compound Wednesday, only after northern alliance rebels backed by U.S. airstrikes and special forces quelled an uprising by Taliban and al-Qaeda prisoners. Spann, at the compound to interrogate prisoners, was caught inside when the riot began and had been missing since Sunday. The CIA provided few details of the circumstances of his death. Spann had been in Afghanistan for about six weeks, said his father, Johnny Spann, during an afternoon news conference in the family's hometown of Winfield, Ala.

Top talent heads to U.S. Open

By Gavin Lesnick · Thursday, Nov. 29,2001 1:12 a.m.

The Hoosiers travel to Nassau County Aquatic Center in East Meadow, N.Y., tomorrow for the start of the three-day U.S. Open swimming tournament. But the entire team will not go, as only 10 swimmers who swam times qualifying for USA Swimming standards will compete.

Defensive Hoosiers send 'Heels reeling to 0-3 start

By Jason Recker · Thursday, Nov. 29,2001 1:11 a.m.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- In the first 20 minutes at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Wednesday night, IU couldn't miss from beyond the three-point arc. Meanwhile, North Carolina\'s Kris Lang couldn't miss from inside the paint. Oh what a difference a halftime break can make. A difference of minimal consequence, that is. IU used its three-point barrage (nine threes) to take a 40-30 halftime lead, then reverted to inside scoring in the second half (zero threes) to put away UNC 79-66 in front of 18,358 baby-blue clad fans, extending the Tar Heels' Smith Center losing streak to four games, an unprecedented mark.

Team splits for weekend

By Colin Nowling · Thursday, Nov. 29,2001 1:11 a.m.

In its last weekend of competition in the fall season, the IU women's swimming team is sending swimmers to both the U.S. Open Swimming Championships and to the Miami (OH) Invitational. The Hoosiers are currently ranked No. 17 in the nation and have a 2-0-1 dual meet record.

IU quarterback named 1st-team All-American

By Sara Meinecke and Sarah Meinecke · Thursday, Nov. 29,2001 1:10 a.m.

All senior quarterback Antwaan Randle El went out for was a late-night snack. He ended up with three extra passengers. It was rainy and cold, and on the sidewalk three students were huddled together, trying to make it home in the dark. Randle El stopped and offered these three strangers a ride home. This is IU's and college football's most exciting player, and Tuesday, he was rewarded as the nation's first-team All-American quarterback by the Football Writers Association of America. All he got for the three pairs of muddy feet in his car were some "Thank you's." "I've never met anyone like him, but that's what makes him special," senior linebacker Justin Smith said. "Once you get to know him, you'll know you'll never meet anyone like him."