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I CAROLINA m BRIEF Leadership institute to convene April 25 Ohio State University President Karen Holbrook will deliver the keynote address at USC’s third annual Women’s Leadership Institute April 25. Sponsored by the Provost’s Advisory Committee for Women’s Issues, the event is open to faculty, staff and students. Sessions will be fcom 8:30 a.m. to I p.m. in the Russell House student union. Registration will begin at 8 a.m., but reservations must be made by April 21. THIS WEEK # USC TODAY Southern Exposure Concert 7:30 p.m. School of Music 206 FRIDAY Theatre South Carolina presents “Measure for Measure” 8 p.m. Drayton Hall i-1 Want your organization’s meetings to be on the calendar on Page Two? E-mail gamecocknews @gwm.sc.edu th#£&\mecock ON THE WEB © www.dailygamecock.com Read online five days a week. Word. Wrecking ball Meg Gaillard/ THE UAUEGOCX The “Ball of Positive Reinforcement” knocks down the “Wall of Hate” at the Homophobia Awareness Week carnival on Wednesday on Greene Street. State Bill would prohibit protests at funerals South Carolina became one of the latest states to discuss legislation limiting funeral protests after a Senate subcommittee unanimously approved a bill that would make it a crime to picket within 1,000 feet of a service. Members of Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan., have demonstrated around the country at funerals for U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq, claiming soldiers are dying because God is punishing America for tolerating homosexuality. Nation Bank of America Corp. resolves complaints BOSTON — Bank of America Corp. has agreed to resolve allegations by Arab and Muslim groups that the former Fleet Bank discriminated against 15 customers with Arabic names by closing their accounts in 2002 and 2003 over suspicions of terrorism or money laundering. Although a state investigation found no evidence of discrimination, Bank of America agreed to pay the state $50,000 to create a brochure and video on consumer finance geared toward Arab-American and Muslim communities. World Italy’s Prodi not afraid of election reversal ROME — Italy’s center-left leader Romano Prodi said Wednesday he does not fear a reversal of parliamentary election results, insisting his narrow victory is safe despite Premier Silvio Berlusconi’s demand for a recount. Prodi emerged the winner of the hard-fought election, although his razor-thin margin has brought back the prospect of political instability in a country known for revolving-door governments. Berlusconi has refused to concede defeat, alleging voting irregularities. Missouri community that opened its wallets for couple's sextuplets learn of money scam matt Sedensky THE ASSOCIATED PRESS GRAIN VALLEY, Mo. —The library books on multiple births crowded the couple’s coffee table. The bedroom turned-nursery awaited the arrival of six newborns. But in the end, authorities say Sarah and Kris Everson never had the sextuplets as claimed. All they had was what appears to be a big lie. The couple’s dramatic story had holes in it from the start — from their mysterious withholding of information for more than a month to the unanimous response of area hospitals that they hadn’t helped deliver the newborns. On Tuesday, authorities said the mystery had been solved — the entire tale was deemed a hoax aimed at tapping the generosity of others to pay the couple’s mounting bills. “I have never dealt with anything like this,” Police Chief Aaron Ambrose said. “The level of fraud like this involving people.” Gary Bradley, the city administrator, said charges against the Eversons were forthcoming. Prosecutors had not yet determined how much the couple profited from the scam or whether they would qualify for charges beyond the municipal level. The Eversons — Sarah, 45, and Kris, 33 — claimed to have given birth to four boys and two girls on March 8. The babies were apparently in intensive care. The tale exploded in the local spotlight Monday when The Examiner in Independence ran on its front page a photograph of the couple holding six one-piece baby outfits and announcing the births. Those who heard the Eversons’ sad story of tight finances set up a Web site to solicit contributions. I Weather Forecast TODAY High 85 Loui 58 High 90 loui 66 High 91 Loui 61 High 81 Loui 66 mon. High 85 Low 51 CRIME REPORT TUESDAY, APRIL 11 Malicious injury to personal property, 5 P-m. Pendleton Street Garage, 1501 Pendleton St. The victim, 33, said someone keyed her vehicle on the driver’s side door. Estimated value: $500 Reporting officer: M.A. Winnington Accidental damage, 6:02 p.m. Taylor House, 1501 Senate St. The complainant said while opening the driver’s side door of her vehicle, she accidentally struck a concrete trash can, causing damage to the door. Estimated value: $150 Reporting officer: M.A. Winnmgton Lost property, 6:15 p.m. Moore Dorm, 601 Sumter St. The victim, 18, said he lost his LG cell phone. Reporting officer: D. Davis WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12 Suspicious activity, 12:15 a-m• Intersection of Main and Wheat streets The victim, 22, said someone threw a beer can at her and shouted racial slurs. Reporting officer: M.A. Winnington Gay rights group asks that funds for Baptist university be vetoed Joe Biesh THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FRANKFORT, Ky. — A gay rights group asked Gov. Ernie Fletcher Wednesday to veto state funding for a private Baptist university after a student claimed he was expelled for being gay. The organization asked Fletcher to veto $11 million that Kentucky lawmakers approved earlier this week for building a pharmacy school and providing scholarships at the private University of the Cumberlands in southeastern Kentucky. Advocates hand-delivered a binder to Fletcher’s omce containing nunurcus of letters and e-mails supporting their request. “Discrimination is on its face wrong. Funding it with state tax dollars is unacceptable,” said Christina Gilgor, executive director of the Kentucky Fairness Alliance. “Our tax dollars should not fund a religious institution that teaches by example how to discriminate.” The General Assembly approved an $18.1 billion state budget Tuesday that included $10 million for the university to build a pharmacy school on its Whitley County campus and $1 million for related scholarships. The school in Williamsburg — part of Senate President David Williams’ district — has a policy against homosexuality. Recently Jason Johnson, a sophomore theater arts major from Lexington, has claimed he was expelled after posting on an Intemet^^ site that he was gay. ^P A university spokesman did not immediately return a call seeking comment. Fletcher, an inactive ordained Baptist minister, released a statement saiying his administration “does not condone discrimination,” but he did not say whether he would block the school’s state funding. ,, -r 1 « \ r % i was cicetcu iu ucicnu the constitution as well as move Kentucky forward for every resident of the commonwealth,” Fletcher^^ said in the statement. “I^P will stand behind my oath to continue to do so.” Earlier this week, Fletcher revised Kentucky’s affirmative action policy to remove language that specifically protected gays from discrimination in state government. Both moves seemed as though Fletcher was playing to his “right-wing base,” Gilgor said. “We hope that on both issues, the governor will realize the impact of his actions, take a stand against discrimination and^^ represent all Kentuckians,”^® Gilgor said. i C UNIVERSITY OF SOUIH(mOUN\ Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships . Taking Summer Classes? Will you need help paying for them? Why not apply for Student Qj) Financial Aid? Go to VIP and Apply Now! Application Deadline: May l, 2006 acta I since 1973 check out our U I great selection ,°fSandals I for the summer! M-Fri: 10-6:30 • Sat: 10-6:00 1215 Wayne Street (in the Vista) Columbia, SC 29201 • 803-799-7571 www.backpackerqualitygear.com i lie