THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2012
PAGE 3
NEWS OF THE WORLD
Because the world is bigger than your oyster
ASSOCIATED PRESS
--a full assessment of the pipeline's impact, especially the health and safety of the American people, as well as our environment," Obama said.
NORTH AMERICA
upama rejects Canadian company's oil pipeline as February deadline looms
ASSOCIATED PRESS
House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, center, accompanied by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Va., right, and Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, gestures at a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 18, to discuss President Barack Obama's decision to halt the Keystone XL pipeline.
WASHINGTON — Raising the stakes on a bitter election-year fight with Republicans, President Barack Obama on Wednesday rejected a Canadian company's plan to build a U.S.-spanning, 1,700-mile pipeline to carry oil across six U.S. states to Texas refineries.
Though the project promises thousands of temporary jobs for the recovering U.S. economy, Obama said a February deadline set by Congress would not allow for a proper review of potential harm from the $7 billion Keystone XL project.
"As the State Department made clear last month, the rushed and arbitrary deadline insisted on by congressional Republicans prevented
The plan proposed by Calgary-based TransCanada would carry oil from tar sands in western Canada to Texas, passing through Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma.
Republicans assailed Obama's decision as a job-killer and said the fight wasn't over.
And the State Department said the decision was made "without prejudice," meaning TransCanada can submit a new application once a route through environmentally sensitive areas of Nebraska is established.
ASIA
Book based on emails bashes Jong Un
TOKYO — A new book claims that the eldest son of North Korea's late leader Kim Jong Il believes the impoverished regime is in danger of collapse and that his young half-brother, chosen to lead after Kim's death, is merely a figurehead.
The book by Tokyo-based journalist Yoji Gomi went on sale Wednesday. He said it is based primarily on email exchanges he had with Kim Jong Nam over many years.
The book, titled "My Father, Kim Jong II and Me," drew immediate attention as a rare view into the family that has led the secretive country for decades — though Kim Jong Nam is thought to be estranged from his family and the workings of government. Since Kim Jong Il's death Dec. 17, North Korea has been led by his youngest son, Kim Jong Un.
"Jong Un will just be a figurehead,"
the book quotes Kim Song Wah as saying. It claims he said the collapse of North Korea's economy is likely unless it initiates reforms, which could also bring it down.
"Without reforms and liberalization, the collapse of the economy is within sight," he quoted Kim as saying. "But reforms and opening up could also invite dangers for the regime."
Gomi, a Tokyo Shimbun journalist who had assignments in Seoul and Beijing, claims he exchanged 150 emails and has spent a total of seven hours interviewing Kim Jong Nam, who was seen as a possible successor until he fell out of favor with Kim Jong Il in 2001.
ASIA
Nigerian police face criticism after escape
ABUJA, NIGERIA — Nigeria's police are under scrutiny after the suspected mastermind of the Christmas Day bombing that killed dozens escaped from custody during a police-escorted transfer — an embarrassment for a nation struggling to contain increasingly bloody sectarian attacks by a radical Islamist sect.
Authorities said Kabiru Sokoto planned the bombing that killed 38 people at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, just outside Nigeria's capital Abuja. But his arrest at the mansion of a state governor in Abuja, and subsequent escape, raised more questions about the government's ability to stop the radical sect, known as Boko Haram, which claimed responsibility for the church attack.
Police Affairs Minister Caleb Olubolabi told journalists Wednesday that Sokoto's escape is under investigation and anyone, including
himself, could be fired over the incident.
Police had said in a statement that a local commissioner ordered Sokota transferred to another police station in Abaji, just outside of Abuja and that the policemen escorting him were attacked by suspected sect gang members who freed him.
National police spokesman Olu-sola Amore said Sokoto was arrested over the weekend at the official compound of the Borno state governor in Abuja. Borno state, in Nigeria's arid and dusty northeast, is Boko Haram's spiritual home.
However, Borno State spokesman Inuwa Bwala denied Tuesday evening that Sokoto was arrested in the governor's home, and said that Borno State governor Kashim Shettima and his opposition-led government were the victims of political persecution.
CAMPUS
ASHLEIGH LEE/KANSAN
Sarah Myers, a junior from Plano, Texas, stretches before going to work out at the Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center Tuesday evening. "I am doing this as part of a New Year's resolution to stay healthy overall," said Myers.
Students go to rec as semester starts
MARSHALL SCHMIDT
mschmidt@kansan.com
Weary of gaining the freshman 15 or just wanting to work off the pounds accumulated during the holiday season, many students are trying to get back into shape by spending more time at the Amber Student Recreation Center.
"We see a huge influx during the first three weeks of the semester," said Jon Denning, the personal training program manager. "Students are trying to start the semester off on the right foot."
According to WedMD, one third of New Year's resolutions are to lose weight, and of that third, 15 percent of people consult a personal trainer to achieve their goals.
For two years Steve Hilburn, a third year law student from Goddard, consulted his personal trainer, graduate student Russell Emmons from Belt Plaine.
"Law school is stressful, and I wasn't working out," Hilburn said. "My aim is to mainly keep off weight and be generally healthy."
Emmons enjoys seeing his clients meet their goals of losing weight. However, it's a challenge to match up his schedule with his clients' schedules for training sessions and to make sure they workout on their own time as well. Training can provide useful instruction, but clients need to take
initiative to see results.
"A lot of people don't know what they're doing," said Emmons. "Training teaches proper technique and designs a program that fits a person's needs."
To beat the rush Denning encourages students to avoid peak times, which are from 3 to 7 p.m. Students can use a complimentary locker, towel, and shower service to help save time during busy class schedules.
"If you do decide to come to the rec center when it's busy, try to be patient or adjust your schedule to come in at a less busy time," said Denning. "Realize the machine or equipment you normally used might be occupied, so be prepared to change your workout on the fly."
The rec offers several programs and classes beginning Jan. 30 to help students' efforts to get back into shape. Students can sign up for boot camps, group fitness, cardio kickboxing, or small group weight loss. More information can be found at www.recreationku.edu.
For those starting a new work out regiment, Emmons emphasizes taking the first step and sticking with a routine no matter what.
"If you fall of the wagon, get back on it," Emmons said.
- Edited by Tanvi Nimkar
COMMUNITY
TYLER ROSTE/KANSAN
The Bottleneck, located at 737 New Hampshire street, is undergoing a management change along with the Jackpot Saloon. Old specials, such as the 49-er club, will now be offered at The Bottleneck.
Downtown music hubs make a few changes
KELSEY CIPOLLA
This month, two mainstays of the Lawrence music scene get revamped.
Changes are coming to The Jackpot Saloon. The Massachusetts Street venue was recently taken over by new owners, Eric and Darla Berman, who aim to draw crowds, on nights without live music, by adding a pool table, dart boards and a jukebox.
kcipolla@kansan.com
"The music end of it is still going to be geared toward younger people and we're still going to be younger punk rock, heavy metal, garage rock," said Eric Berman. "It's going to be the kinds of things that teens and twenties are going to enjoy."
The Jackpot will still allow people 18 and over into shows, said Berman who grew up in the area and attended the University.
The Bottleneck is also attempting to increase its appeal outside of concerts by reintroducing star cards. The cards give the cardholder special perks like discounts, free merchandise and tickets throughout the year. Niche drink specials, like the once popular 49-er club, which gave club members perks after they sampled 49 of the bar's different micro-brewed and imported beers, will also be returning.
"Everybody who comes to Lawrence falls in love with Lawrence, and I'm certainly no different there." Berman said.
"We're trying to make more people aware of the Bottleneck and get more people to come in," said Ben Potter, the venue's new manager. "We've been making some changes around here. We want them to know that it's a better place to hang out now."
installing new televisions, an updated sound system and a lounge area, as well as an improved sports package to make The Bottleneck a more popular game-day destination. Potter said bigger shows will also be coming to the venue, thanks to a new booking agent.
Other changes include
Despite claims that changes to both venues will be small, not everybody is convinced that they are a good idea.
"I just hope it doesn't take away from the vibe of the Jackpot as a music bar," said Joe Groniger, a sophomore from Topeka. "I think that's a smart business decision, but I also think it's also important to keep those venues alive. I mean, Nirvana played at The Bottleneck. You've got to keep some of that history."
Edited by Jeff Karr
6-7 p.m. Shabbat Dinner Friday, January 20 Bruckmiller Room, Adams Alumni Center
Kick off the semester and join KU Hillel and the KU Alumni Association for our annual Jayhawk Shabbat dinner. Enjoy a free dinner and lots of giveaways! Rock Chalk!
Co-Sponsored by KU Alumni Association and KU Hillel