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EXTENDED FORECAST ♦ TODAY ♦SATURDAY ♦SUNDAY ♦MONDAY ♦TUESDAY |# # Hfc # -4 > High 54 High 57 High 58 High 67 High 67 Low 29 Low 35 Low 48 Low 51 Low 39 j _ Look for The Gamecock online Tuesdays and Thursdays. STATE Legislature OKs bill to restrict lawsuits The South Carolina Senate and -Bouse approved major legislation - Ijmiting lawsuits Wednesday. The : House gave second reading to a bill that “puts restrictions on lawsuits stemming “ Itom business dealings, shoddy housing -construction and other issues. About -nine hours later, the Senate approved ’ limits on medical malpractice lawsuits. ' - The House bill was approved by a - £01-15 vote that came after two hours • qf debate and litde opposition. Committee approves road-names measure *•“ The practice of naming state roads -and highways after notable individuals ~ would be reserved for only those who are 'dead under a bill that cleared a House -Education and Public Works - Committee on Wednesday. . Earlier this month, the House . approved a resolution to rename the Earl ; E. Morris Jr. Highway after its namesake was convicted of securities fraud. k NATION Bush pledges pursuit of trade liberalization WASHINGTON — Declaring that Americans benefit from free trade, ! President Bush on Thursday promised j to continue pursuing trade liberalization ' agreements around the world even as •critics charge that his policies have resulted in record buy-and-sell deficits and millions oflost jobs. Bush’s pledge came in his annual economic report to Congress which argued that his economic policies, ranging from making his first-term tax cuts permanent to overhauling Social Security, will lead to greater prosperity. Fewer unemployed file for benefit checks WASHINGTON — A gauge of future economic activity slipped a bit in January while the number of laid-off workers filing new claims for unemployment benefits dropped last week to the lowest level in more than four years. The Conference Board reported that its Index of Leading Economic Indicators edged down 0.3 percent last month after having posted a gain of 0.3 percent in December. The • decline was blamed on a jump in energy prices last month, a weaker dollar and cautious business attitudes about the future. The Department of Labor reported that a total of 302,000 Americans filed applications for • unemployment benefits last week, the lowest level since Oct. 28, 2000, when the country was nearing the end of a decade-long economic expansion. WORLD U.S. asks China’s aid in disarmament talks i BEIJING — Top negotiators from the United States and South Korea were in Beijing seeking China’s help on persuading isolated North Korea to return to multination nuclear talks that \ were suspended in J une. China is sending a top communist ; party official to North Korea this week, • the government said Thursday, amid renewed efforts to get Beijing’s longtime ■ ally to resume stalled talks on i nuclear , weapons program. . Catholic university offers Satanism class ROME — Worried about the lure of the devil, a Vatican-linked university on Thursday debuted its latest course offering: a class on Satanism, black magic and exorcism. The class for clergy and seminarians at Rome’s Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum has arisen from alarm about Satanic practices among young people, especially in Italy. In one case in Italy in January, eight people believed to belong to a Satanic sect were ordered to stand trial for their alleged role in three ritual killings. BRIEFS FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Mandela plans show to take aim at AIDS JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Annie Lennox, Brian May and India.arie will perform at Nelson Mandela’s next concert to raise awareness about the AIDS pandemic. The March 19 event in the Eastern Cape city of George, to be hosted by actor Will Smith, will highlight the plight of women and girls, who are six times more likely than men to become infected here, Mandela said Thursday. May and Roger Taylor of Queen will collaborate with Bad Company’s Paul Rodgers. “We do not treat our women with enough dignity and respect,” Mandela said. “We must mobilize to act, and act soon, before it is too late.” Since stepping down as South Africa’s first black president in 1999, Mandela has championed the cause of AIDS victims, especially in Africa where about 25 million of the world s 40 million HIV-infected people live. While organizers are still recovering the cost of the first concert held in Cape Town in November 2003 through CD and DVD sales, they hope this year's more modest event will raise funds for AIDS charities in South Africa. Mandela’s eldest son recendy r\Lvruvi u w i THE ASSOCIATED PRESS South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela, right, and musician Bob Geldolf appear on stage in London’s Trafalgar square as part of a campaign called ‘Make Poverty History' on Feb. 3. died of an AIDS-related illness. Valentine proposal surprises Aguilera NEW YORK — Christina Aguilera says she was shocked when a Valentine surprise turned into a marriage proposal. The 24-year-old pop diva says music executive Jordan Bratman, her boyfriend of two years, popped the question at Big Sur, Calif., last Friday after recreating a romantic dinner the two had while touring India in the fall. “It was unbelievable,” Aguilera told Us Weekly magazine. “Every cute thing he did, I totally thought was just a Valentine’s Day surprise he got me!” “He sent me on a scavenger A y “Maybe the experience of not being able to do it, maybe it was the home crowd. I give our crowd a lot “*■“ of credit.” Friday, February 18, 2005 DAVE ODOM 7 j 7 use MEN'S'BASKETBALL COACH ON TUESDAY’S VICTORY OVER THE NO.3 KENTUCKY WILDCATS IT’S A SIGN _ • KATIE KIRKLAND/THt bAMtout-K USC students cheer for senior forward John Chappell before the Carolina’s upset victory against the Kentucky Wildcats Tuesday in the Colonial Center. Carolina won 73-61. 1 hunt,” she said. “My mom used to do scavenger hunts for me when I was a kid, so jt had sentimental value. Each clue was a poem — and in the final clue he proposed!” The 26-year-old Bratman gave Aguilera a 5-carat diamond ring designed by jeweler Stephen Webster, who also made wedding bands for Mad6nna and Guy Richie. “I’m finishing my album, so we haven’t set a date yet,” Aguilera said. “But it’s definitely given me inspiration to make my best record ever.” Her hits include “What a Girl Wants,” “Genie in a Bottle” and “Beautiful.” Versace to attend AIDS fundraiser VIENNA, Austria — Donatella Versace will present a fashion show and appear at the annual Life Ball, a charity gala dedicated to raising funds to fight AIDS. Organizers hope to raise awareness with the May 21 event at City Hall. The Life Ball, regularly attended by singer Elton John, is known for the extravagant costumes of the thousands of guests. “We want to give the event a new look, to create new excitement,” Versace said Thursday. “We can barely wait to reach our shared goal — $1.3 million — purely in proceeds for the Life Ball 2005.” Other designers who have presented creations at the Life Ball include Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, Thierry Mugler, Paco Rabanne, Vivienne Westwood, Moschino, Missoni and Gianfranco Ferre. Governor proposes redistricting plan WASHINGTON — Some of California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s fellow Republicans are promoting a plan that would let him run for president. He’s promoting a plan that could cost some of them their jobs. As Schwarzenegger visited Capitol Hill on Thursday to meet . with California lawmakers, his proposal to redraw congressional and state legislative districts was near the top of the agenda for some Republican House members. vv iii.il uv du i v vu a i iiiv. v^dj/uui) Schwarzenegger told reporters that he hoped to accomplish “as much as we can, I can guarantee you that.” The governor didn’t escape home-state political battles. He was greeted by a full-page ad in the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call taken out by the California Nurses Association, with whom he’s been fighting over nurse staffing ratios. “As soon as he got to Sacramento, the governor put vital health policy up for sale,” the ad said. Schwarzenegger began his day meeting with House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jerry Lewis, R-Calif. Schwarzenegger wants a panel of retired judges to redraw California s political map next year. That job is currently done by state lawmakers, and under the normal timeline wouldn’t happen until after the 2010 census. Schwarzenegger argues his plan would result in a more democratic process and more competitive elections. It could also lead to the election of more moderate politicians, like himself, who would be easier for him to work with in Sacramento. Some Republicans fear redrawing districts in Democrat-leaning California could cost the party seats in Congress. Even if the GOP managed to keep the 20 seats it now holds powerful lawmakers who lead in the Republican-controlled House could find themselves fighting for their jobs before unfamiliar voters. “There’s a legitimate concern about keeping tne majority in the House, and there’s all kinds of debate as to who would gain seats in a midterm redistricting,” said Rep. George Radanovich, R-Calif. “I think there are risks.” Even Schwarzenegger’s top Washington ally, House Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier, R-Calif., has told the governor he would prefer to wait until after the 2010 census. I told him my preference is to see the census taken before they move to the commission for redistricting,” Dreier said. Some national party leaders are also wary. GOP Rep. Tom Reynolds of New York, who heads the House Republican campaign committee, said the party wouldn’t have money to defend 53 Republican candidates next year and redistricting should be left to the state legislature. COMING UP@USC TODAY Spring 2005 Seminar Series: 4 p.m. Jones Physical Science Center 006. Dance Marathon: 7 p.m. Strom Thurmond Wellness & Fitness Center. SATURDAY “Lies My Teacher Told Me About Education and Race” Keynote Address: 7:30 p.m. Hand Middle School Auditorium on Woodrow Street. SUNDAY Women's Basketball vs. Alabama: 2 p.m. Colonial Center. MONDAY Kana Yabuki Junior Piano Recital: 7:30 p.m. School of Music 206. Last day to drop a course or withdraw without a grade of “WF” being recorded BRIEFS Seminar to discuss cheating methods The Flagship Communications Bateman Team from USC’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications is playing host to this month’s teaching seminar, “How We Cheat: A Student’s Perspective.” The seminar will be held Thursday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in Moore School of Business 008. Students will give new light to the meaning of cheating, the newest ways students are cheating and ways to prevent it. Demonstrations of some of the latest cheating tools and detectors will also be presented. Refreshments will be served at 3 p.m. in the lobby. Reservations can be made by calling the Office of the Provost at 777-2808 or by e mailing Rhondaf@gwm.sc.edu before Tuesday. Seating is limited CP to play host to ‘Real’ comedy tour Carolina Productions will present the “Keepin’ it Real Comedy Tour” featuring Roosevelt Johnson at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Russell House Ballroom. Also scheduled to appear are Darren “DS” Sanders, B Phlat and Co Coa Brown, who have all been featured on shows such as Black Entertainment Television’s “Comic View” and HBO’s Russell Simmons Def Comedy Jam.” For more information, contact Telca Markosky at 777-3950. POLICE REPORT Reports taken from the USC Police Department. Each number on the map stands for a crime corresponding with numbered descriptions in the list below. DAY CRIMES (6 a.m.-6 p.m.) □ Violent O Nonviolent NIGHT CRIMES (6p.m.-6a.m.) ■ Violent • Nonviolent CRIMES AT UNKNOWN HOURS 153 Violent © Nonviolent FEB.15 ©Disorderly Conduct Colonial Center, 812 Lincoln St. The subject was grossly intoxicated and using profanity at the basketball game. The subject was escorted to his dorm by officer Golston and told not to return. The subject did return and was still extremely intoxicated. He was arrested. Reporting officers: C. Knoche and M. Gooding. ©Disorderly Conduct Greene Street and Gadsden St. Subjects no. 1 and no. 2 were observed fighting each other and creating a disturbance in a public place. Both were arrested and transported to Richland County Detention Center. Reporting officers: M. Winnington and U.R. Snyder. © Scalping Greene and Gadsden streets Victim no. 2 told repotting officers G. Kerwin and M.P. Weiss that the subject had sold invalid tickets to the basketball game to her and her friend, victim no. 1. The officer made contact with the subject, who stated in an excited utterance that he would sell three tickets for $40. The subject was carrying 13 additional tickets, as well as $120 in cash. jfB.16 DUI Intersection of Pendleton and Marion streets Reporting officer J.M. Simmons responded to a complaint of an intoxicated person driving a white vehicle with a black top. Simmons observed the vehicle and stopped the driver. As Simmons approached the vehicle he smelled a strong odor of alcoholic coming from the subject. Simmons told the subject that the reason he had been stopped was because of a complaint of an intoxicated driver. Simmons asked the subject if he was the intoxicated driver, and the subject said that he was. When Simmons asked him how much he had to drink, he replied too much.” He was told to exit the vehicle and walk to the rear. When he exited the vehicle, the subject nearly fell and would have fallen over at the rear of the vehicle if Simmons had not held him up by his right arm. The subject was given several sobriety tests. The first test was the finger-dexterity test, which the . subject foiled when he miscounted and touched his thumb to his fingers on incorrect counts. The next test was the alphabet test, where the subject was asked to say the alphabet starting with the letter “E” and ending with “O.” The subject failed when he performed the test as follows: “E, F, O, P.” Simmons then asked him to perform the one legged stance test, which the subject foiled because he lost his balance and nearly fell over, at which point Simmons stopped the test for fear the subject would injure himself. The subject was placed under arrest for DUI. % 14rt t I t-* fJk £m ^.# "Who is the critically acclaimed V^U-ll-Wldl 1 tlv Nigerian author of the book,