Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 20, 2004)
| Global update | Today Thursday Friday High: 60 High: 58 High: 58 Low: 44 Low: 46 Low: 46 Precip: 20% Precip: 30% Precip: 50% IN BRIEF September consumer prices pick up momentum WASHINGTON, D.C. — Consumer prices picked up momentum in Sep tember, especially hitting the pockets of people paying for medical care, ed ucation costs and gas. Although out of-control inflation is not a current danger to the economy, the accelera tion justifies an interest rate increase next month by the Federal Reserve, analysts said. They expect the Fed at its Nov. 10 meeting to boost short term interest rates for a fourth time this year to ensure inflation doesn't become a problem. U.S. to Get 2.6 Million Flu Shots in January WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal health officials said Tliesday that an other 2.6 million doses of flu vaccine will be available in January to aug ment existing supplies as they sought to calm fears about the shortage. “We’ve successfully worked through vaccine supply problems in the past, and we're doing so this time as well,” said Health and Human Services Sec retary Tommy Thompson. “We need all of us to take a deep breath. ” Social Security recipients to receive check increase WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 47 million Americans will get a 2.7 percent increase in their Social Secu rity checks starting in January, mean ing an additional $25 per month for the typical retiree. But almost half of that gain will be gobbled up by a record increase in Medicare premi ums. The cost of living adjustment, or COLA, announced Tliesday by the Social Security Administration will be the largest percentage gain since a 3.5 percent increase in 2001. The in crease last January was 2.1 percent. U.S. prods China to resume stalled beef trade BEIJING — The United States is pushing China to lift import bans on beef and poultry imposed because of mad cow disease and bird flu outbreaks, a senior state department official said Tuesday. Under Secretary of State for Eco nomic, Business and Agricultural Af fairs Alan Larson said the United States has “taken all the steps necessary to show we are free of avian influenza. ” “We would like to see that trade re sume,” Larson told reporters at a news briefing. China was one of about 25 countries that banned imports of all U.S. poultry products in February when avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, was discovered in Texas, Pennsyl vania, Maryland and New Jersey. In Asia, more than 20 people have died after contracting the disease. An 11-month ban has been in place for beef imports because of mad cow disease after U.S. officials announced that a cow in Washington state had the brain-wasting disease, also known as bovine spongiform en cephalopathy. — The Associated Press Low-rise jeans cause ruckus among Italy's high-schoolers School officials take a stand against the fashion trend of baring it all, suggest more convervative dress BY ANGELA DOLAND THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ROME — In an era of low-rise jeans, one Italian high school has launched an uprising. A school in central Italy asked students to stop wearing low-slung trousers that expose navels, under wear and sometimes much more. In a nation that prizes kids and fash ion, the suggestion unleashed a de bate among parents, teachers and students, and at least one other school followed suit. Throughout Italy, the question is whether Vitruvio Pollione Scientific High School in Avezzano over stepped the boundaries of student freedom of expression, or whether school wardrobes in Italy have grown a tad too free and expressive. A letter read out loud to Avez zano students this month singled out “low-rise pants, which expose parts of the body that would be bet ter off covered up, for good man ners, in the school setting.” Deputy Principal Nazzareno Desiderio elaborated in a phone in terview: “It’s a piece of advice for their educational reflection.” The school’s principal came up with the idea during a class trip, when he saw one boy’s baggy pants slide to his feet. The letter has sparked a sea of In ternet blog entries and letters to newspapers. A parents’ group called Moige applauded the appeal for good taste, while the consumer group Co dacons advised principals to stop worrying about fashion and fix up di lapidated school buildings instead. Although attention has focused on Avezzano, other school officials have made similar requests, includ ing one principal in the Alpine town of Ortisei who was reportedly wor ried that exposed bellies would make students vulnerable to stom ach aches. Despite the hullabaloo, the meas ure in Avezzano was not a strict dress code, just a suggestion. Dress codes and school uniforms are all but un heard of in Italian public schools. “We didn’t want a spirit of prohi bitionism,” Desiderio said. “You can’t put a ban on fashion; you’d have to be joking.” Italians, known for being at ease with their bodies and always on the forefront of sexy fashion trends, seem to have embraced low-rise pants more than many other Euro peans. Two of the hottest brands of jeans — Diesel and Miss Sixty — are Italian-run and offer countless low-slung styles. High-schoolers are big fans. At a prestigious Rome school whose alumni include atomic pio neer Enrico Fermi and Pope Pius XII, teenagers stream out of the heavy wooden doors at lunchtime exposing their midriffs and the waistbands of their underwear. Inspired by the decision in Avez zano, the principal of Rome’s Vis conti High School has suggested that students show less skin and proposed a debate on the matter. In an interview, he lamented the lack of mystery of the modern young woman’s wardrobe. “Today, boys are less tickled by such visions (of skin), because there’s no more big effect in seeing a girl’s legs or shoulders, lower back and navel,” principal Antonino Grasso said. Most kids have simply ignored such concerns. Ludovica Gaudio, 14, wore ultra-low pants, orange cotton underwear and a bare midriff to class. It was chilly, so she acces sorized with a matching orange scarf. Another 14-year-old suggested she would probably respect the school’s request, simply for practi cal reasons. “I don’t really feel at ease” in low slung pants, said Sarah Lattanzi, who covered up with a hooded sweatshirt. “In winter, when it comes down to it, it’s freezing.” Best Meal for a Deal," '2nd 'Place,"Beal OrncU/Ue, 2nd Place, “Best Breakfast:' 2nd Place, "Best ydootanan Fate LL M * * Tr* JL% jL«k JL ■ ne dgst Lkiliy hmtHrfiu, ladq: * Best : ■. * Bess ■ ■ jr eats in town.” Take Visitors . When: You 'Pay,"; a Haee Pee Sports Illustrated on Campus 2nd Place, Eugene Weekly, 1999 * Bias Dia.- us Uodt.-r $12, in town.” :nd PT "Best .'Lunch -Under $8, 1st Place,. “Best Below, uuae Defining the taste of Eugene for over 25 years. 2588 Willamette St. 541-687-8201 340 Alder Street 541-687-0355 Noluu&tf,'4, RcJuf, •'lime *W f- eOSTUffiE REfITflLS 360 b. 13Ut bt. • 343-6842 Eugene Concert Choir October 21 Call 687-6865 Repertoire includes: Beethoven, Missa Solemnis, Rachmaninoff Vespers, Broadway Musicals. 020395 Healing Chakra — All day Saturday, December 4th • Drumming Festival — Friday Evening Dec. 3rd Martial Arts Festival — Sunday Morning, Dec. 5th - Visit BRyoga.com or call 541-686-0207
