Region

Flash floods kill 100 in Ethiopia

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, Aug. 6,2006 6:42 p.m.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia -- More than 100 people were killed by flooding Sunday in a town in eastern Ethiopia, a government official said. As many as 10,000 people fled Dire Dawa and surrounding areas after flash floods tore through the town early Sunday, said Sisay Tadesse, a spokesman for the government-run Disaster Prevention and Preparedness Agency. Heavy rains in Dire Dawa, 180 miles east of the capital, Addis Ababa, swelled nearby rivers, which overflowed their banks and flooded the town, Sisay said.

Elian Gonzalez wishes Castro well

By Alyson Brodsy and Anita Snow · Sunday, Aug. 6,2006 6:40 p.m.

HAVANA -- Elian Gonzalez sent a note Sunday wishing a speedy recovery to "my dear grandpa Fidel," and Cuba's vice president said the world's longest-serving leader is recuperating well after surgery. Former Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega arrived in Havana, telling Cuban state media, "I am sure that we will soon have Fidel resuming his functions and leading his people." Gonzalez, the Cuban boy at the center of an international custody battle with family members in Miami six years ago, published a letter in the Communist Youth newspaper, Juventud Rebelde, signed with "little kisses" from him and his half-siblings and cousins. "We send you this letter to let you know that we are worried about your health," Elian, now 12, wrote. "We hope for your speedy recovery and take the opportunity to wish you a happy birthday, may you have many more." The ailing leader turns 80 on Aug. 13. Vice President Carlos Lage said in Bolivia Saturday that media reports that Castro had abdominal cancer were false.

Iraqi forces lift curfew in Mosul after rounding up 62 suspects

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, Aug. 6,2006 6:40 p.m.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraqi authorities lifted a partial curfew in the country's third-largest city Sunday after repulsing a series of attacks and rounding up dozens of suspects. Ten people were killed elsewhere in the country in ongoing sectarian and political violence, police said, while several U.S. Marines were injured in a suicide bomb attack. Heavy fighting erupted in Mosul Friday between security forces and insurgents, killing a police colonel and raising concern that insurgents were regrouping there.

Hezbollah rockets kill 11 in Israel; Israel strikes south Lebanon as fighting intensifies

By Joseph Panossian · Sunday, Aug. 6,2006 6:39 p.m.

BEIRUT, Lebanon -- Hezbollah guerrillas unleashed their deadliest barrage of rockets into northern Israel on Sunday, killing 11 people and wounding 14, while Israeli bombardment killed a dozen people in Lebanon as fighting intensified despite a draft U.N. cease-fire resolution. Israeli jets fired six missiles into Beirut's southern suburbs Sunday afternoon, Lebanese security officials said. Loud explosions shook the capital, and a column of white smoke rose over the horizon. Hezbollah and its allies rejected the U.S.-French text of the U.N. resolution, saying its terms for a halt in fighting did not address Lebanon's demands -- in a signal that the nearly 4-week-old battle would burn on.

Indiana has too many groups studying issues

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, Aug. 6,2006 6:06 p.m.

FORT WAYNE -- A state panel that's spent the past year evaluating the state's hundreds of boards and commissions has come to a conclusion: Indiana has far too many such groups. The boards and commissions subcommittee of the Indiana Government Efficiency Commission has decided that many of Indiana's boards and commissions need to be eliminated or consolidated, its chairman says. Larger, more complex panels, such as the Indiana Gaming Commission and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles Commission, will continue their work.

Two more shootings in Lake County

By Alyson Brodsy · Sunday, Aug. 6,2006 6:05 p.m.

EAST CHICAGO, Ind. -- A teacher driving to work Thursday told police he heard a pop before his rear passenger window shattered as he became the eighth motorist in nine days to have his vehicle damaged by a projectile in northwest Indiana. Almost all of the vehicles damaged have been driving on or near Cline Avenue, Lake County Sheriff's Department spokesman Mike Higgins said. "We don't know what is causing it but we're leaning toward bullets," Higgins said. "It's some projectile. Whether it is shot from a gun, shot from a slingshot, it's a projectile."

Daniels to seek cigarette tax hike

By Alyson Brodsy and Mike Smith · Sunday, Aug. 6,2006 6:01 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS - Gov. Mitch Daniels said Friday he would seek an increase in cigarette taxes during the 2007 legislative session, something he has been strongly suggesting over the past few weeks that he would do. Daniels also told reporters that he is sending apologies to people who had contacted his office with complaints about the numerous problems that have recently plagued the Bureau of Motor Vehicles because of a new computer system.

Peterson pledges action after Indy violence

Sunday, Aug. 6,2006 6 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Mayor Bart Peterson met with aides and top criminal justice officials Saturday to find ways to curb a recent spike in violent crime that included overnight shootings that killed five people. Peterson went Saturday morning to a downtown gas station that had been the scene of a shootout hours earlier that killed two people and injured two others.

Technology transcends Lollapalooza

By Alyson Brodsy and Tara Burghart · Sunday, Aug. 6,2006 4:08 p.m.

CHICAGO - While indie rock band Cursive played one of the nine stages at the Lollapalooza music festival, a nearby air-conditioned tent was packed with people checking their e-mail, updating their blogs and charging their cell phones. Some milled about waiting for a laptop with wireless Internet access to free up. Others plopped down on couches and watched satellite television -- or a live feed of Cursive, performing just outside. Visitors to this year's three-day edition of Lollapalooza, which began Friday in Chicago's Grant Park, will find technology almost as ubiquitous as the music.

Purdue president announces resignation

By Trevor brown · Friday, Aug. 4,2006 10:23 p.m.

IU's search for its next president got more crowded Friday as Purdue University President Martin C. Jischke announced his retirement and said emphatically he will not consider being a candidate for the IU position.

Blogapalooza: Surf and eating turf

By Alyson Brodsy and Rob O'Connor · Friday, Aug. 4,2006 12 a.m.

"I am far too large and awkward to be crowd surfing." That is first thing that went through my head as a thousand hands held me atop the crowd at Lollapalooza. For some reason it seemed like a good idea at the time, and don't get me wrong it was great fun. I just feel bad for the four people who may have been incidentally drop kicked as I was tossed around like a rag doll. If it makes them feel better I was dropped on my head... twice.

Blogapalooza: Do you realize I have the most beautiful Blog?

By C. Warner Sills and Rob O'Connor · Friday, Aug. 4,2006 12 a.m.

I can't believe that I am being forced to work weekends. I mean this is ridiculous. On Saturdays most people would probably go to a park or see a concert or something. Not me though. I am always on the job. I almost wore my legs out running around from stage to stage, band to band, all so I could come back here to tell you what has been happening at Lollapalooza. Oh well, it is a tough life but someone has to do it.

Blogapalooza: Kicking off Lollapalooza

By C. Warner Sills and Zack Teibloom · Friday, Aug. 4,2006 12 a.m.

Bursting through the gates, hundreds of fans sprinted to get front and center for opening act, "The Subways."

Lollapalooza in review

By C. Warner Sills and Rob O'Connor and Zach Teibloom · Friday, Aug. 4,2006 12 a.m.

Lollapalooza far surpassed our wildest expectations. After a day of experiencing a day in the life outside of Lolla land, we break down our favorite shows, best and worst memories and more in our wrap-up.

Blogapalooza: "Let's make traffic stop on Lake Shore Drive"

By C. Warner Sills and Zack Teibloom · Friday, Aug. 4,2006 12 a.m.

When we realized we could go in the front row for every act to take pictures, things got ridiculously better. There were setbacks, like being dragged from the press area at a legendary Flaming Lips show, but front row access for dynamic hip hop acts Gnarls Barkley, Blackalicious, and Kanye West made Saturday an unforgettable day and night of music. Not to mention the free food, drinks, and hanging out with artists backstage.

Blogapalooza: Lolla is Red Hot

By Alyson Brodsy and Zack Teibloom · Friday, Aug. 4,2006 12 a.m.

Another perfect day and night of shows made made Lollapalooza the place to be this summer. Matisyahu put on a spellbounding performance that may have set the guiness record for crowd surfing, the Chili Peppers came close to Lolla Founder Perry Ferrell's billing as the best rock band in the country and Ben Kweller and Wilco rocked.

Local 'Save Darfur' group hosts panel of Sudanese speakers

By Abdullah AlShihri · Thursday, Aug. 3,2006 10:01 p.m.

Save Darfur Bloomington heard first-hand accounts from several men from the Darfur region of western Sudan about the genocide taking place there.

Hoosier feels at home on bricks

By David A. Nosko · Thursday, Aug. 3,2006 10:30 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- The residents of Columbus, Ind., might write-in a presidential vote in 2008, to none other than 2005 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard Champion Tony Stewart.

Democrats criticize politics of I-69

By David A. Nosko · Thursday, Aug. 3,2006 10:28 a.m.

Hoosiers will have to wait until January 2007 for a Statehouse vote on the fate of an already paved State Road 37 because the new pavement groundwork for an I-69 toll road from Evansville to Indiana was legislated as part of the Gov. Mitch Daniels "Major Moves" bill. But local Hoosiers say the fight to protect Mother Nature and the battle to preserve the Hoosier heartland have just begun. Local Democratic leaders have reiterated their vote of "no" toward the I-69 toll road plan, and tens of thousands of Hoosiers affected by the proposal are up in arms but hopeful about protecting Indiana's long-term economic future. Hoosiers will have the opportunity this November to offer their vote of confidence about their elected officials' vision.

Expert novices help define indie rock

By Alyson Brodsy and Josh Millrod · Thursday, Aug. 3,2006 12 a.m.

Think back to the worst band in your high school. The one with that awful singer, that dude who could barely play guitar and that drummer who couldn't keep a steady beat. In their best moments, they were still barely holding it together. Then imagine them sticking it out for twelve years and becoming one of the most influential indie rock bands in history. In fact, they basically invented the genre. This is the story of Beat Happening. By their last album You Turn Me On, Beat Happening had toured the world, received critical acclaim in major music magazines and founded K Records which would become indie rock's most prosperous record label. They still couldn't play their instruments that well and their singer's rumbling bass singing still wasn't quite in tune.