Region

Israel declares unilateral Gaza cease-fire

JERUSALEM – Israel declared a unilateral cease-fire in its 22-day offensive that turned Gaza neighborhoods into battlegrounds and dealt a stinging blow to the Islamic militants of Hamas, but the government said its troops will stay in the Palestinian territory for now.

US Airways jet ditches into NYC's Hudson River

2 Hoosiers picked at MLS draft

Since he began playing soccer at age 5, IU junior defender Kevin Alston has had to battle back from a broken leg, a sports hernia and a titanium rod in his left shin.But all the pain was made worthwhile Thursday afternoon when the New England Revolution chose him as the No. 10 overall pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft.

Singing Hoosiers hope to delight at inauguration ball

IU’s Singing Hoosiers will perform at the ball in the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington the night before President-elect Barack Obama is sworn into office.“We kind of get to show them what we’re made of and what kids our age can do,” said Natalie McRae, an alto in the group.The group received an invitation to perform and will sing for about an hour and a half, said Director Michael Schwartzkopf. He said the Singing Hoosiers have performed at inaugural balls before, but 15 to 20 years have passed since the last.

MLK Day planners urge students to participate in service projects

The holiday is considered “a day on, not a day off,” local organizers said, and encourages community service as a way to celebrate.

Johnsen’s expertise made her likely pick for Obama legal team

While some IU students will travel to Washington next week for the presidential inauguration, IU law professor Dawn Johnsen will go to begin work for the Office of Legal Counsel.

IU looks to improve ban on tobacco

A year after the smoking ban was implemented amid considerable controversy, IU Provost and Executive Vice President Karen Hanson said the results have not been as good as she had hoped

Family, self-motivation drive Escobedo

Around IU sports

The basketball teams are not the only Hoosier sports in action. So are the men's and women's swimming and diving, and track and field teams.

Saturday success hinges on 3-point defense

There is no play more exciting or deflating in the game of basketball than the 3-point shot.

Battling through change

After four years playing college basketball, senior forward Amber Jackson got to do one thing for the first time in November. She played in front of her mother.

Men's basketball looks to stop the bleeding of a 7-game losing skid

After the results of the two road trips in between ­– in which IU was knocked out early to Illinois and Ohio State by a combined score of 153-98 – being back in Bloomington can’t come soon enough for the Hoosiers.

A new year, a new jersey

In three seasons, Eric Gordon has gone from a man among boys to a boy among men. “Look how fresh he is!” screamed one of Gordon’s NBA teammates. “He got his draft suit on!” The former Hoosier wasn’t wearing the cream blazer he donned on draft night when he was selected seventh overall by the Los Angeles Clippers, but he was unusually dressed up.A herd of local reporters waited to interview Gordon as he changed meticulously following his hometown pro debut. If “E.J.” had his choice, he’d likely prefer to keep to himself by his locker. Instead, he was moments away from answering questions about the game-winning shot he made in double-overtime to lift the Clippers over the Indiana Pacers.

Ind. higher ed chief resigning in April

Indiana Higher Education Commissioner Stan Jones, a top architect of initiatives including a community college system and an advisory group that developed higher academic standards for public schools, will resign in April.

Thrift stores thrive in down economy

If you decided to cut back on holiday shopping because of the failing economy, you weren’t the only one. Sales are down for a number of businesses with some even being forced to close.

Lilly settles Zyprexa suit for $1.42 billion

Eli Lilly & Co. taught its sales force a catchy slogan to peddle the antipsychotic drug Zyprexa for treating the elderly.

MLK Day offers volunteer events

Instead of lounging around this MLK Day, Bloomington is offering students and the community volunteer opportunities.

DVD teaches autistic children the meaning of a smile

It wasn’t until Jude met Jenny that the 3-year-old autistic boy understood what happy people look like.

Zimbabwe opposition leader, Mugabe to discuss stalemate resolution

Zimbabwe’s main opposition leader will return home this weekend after more than two months out of the country, and plans to meet with Robert Mugabe in an effort to resolve the stalemate over a power-sharing agreement.

Survey says: At 631, endangered elephant count surprises in Malaysia

A count of elephant dung revealed a surprisingly large endangered elephant population – more than 600 – in Malaysia’s biggest national park, researchers said Thursday.