Voices are perpetually rising, attempting to speak over one another in a heated exchange. Heads are shaking, fingers wagging, veins pulsating on sweat-covered foreheads. Bodies and the luggage they carry haphazardly bump into innocent bystanders, focusing on nothing but being the first person to reach the front.

By: Nicole Baillargeon Posted In: Sports Pictures: Photo credit: Nicole BaillargeonThe Men’s Rugby Club, receives a trophy during half time of the men’s basketball game Feb.10, 2009.

Ah, the beginning of a new year. A fresh start, a clean slate and a world full of blossoming opportunities stand right outside of your front door. Invigorating, isn’t it? I think so. However, it’s unfortunate that many people taint the endless optimism that should be associated with the New Year by making resolutions meant to correct some sort of personal flaw that they couldn’t tackle last year.

J.K. Rowling takes the fairy tale element of magic and kicks it up a notch in “The Tales of Beedle the Bard.” As translated by Potter fans’ beloved Hermione Granger, the tales were originally written in the fictional language of ancient Runes, which is perhaps equivalent to our translations of tales in ancient Greek.

WASHINGTON- The Senate refused Tuesday to pump an additional $25 billion into road, transit and water projects in its economic stimulus package, as lawmakers struggled for ways to craft a bipartisan plan.

Members huddled and voted on pieces of the plan throughout the day, looking for ways either to pare the $884.