Region

Lobbyist discusses American-Israeli relations

When questioning the loyalty of Congress to Israel, David Gillette uses what he calls the "three-in-the-morning test." "If you wake members of Congress up in the middle of the night from a deep sleep and ask them where they stand regarding Israel, the vast majority will say that they are very supportive," he said. "They realize that Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East, has acted as one of our strongest allies."

Consumer confidence falling

The Conference Board, a non-profit worldwide research institution, operates a Consumer Confidence Index that is one of the key economic indicators for the U.S. economy. The index represents both consumers' perceptions of the present economic situation and their expectations for the economic conditions six months in the future. But, because the index attempts to gauge consumer psychology, it tends to be more volatile and exaggerated.

The 80's: When 8-bit games ruled

I scream, you scream

That sweet smell of waffle cones and fudge fills your nose. Your taste buds start watering as you scan the long list of tantalizing flavors posted on the walls. That first cool, sweet taste on your tongue sends you into euphoria on a hot, humid day. Luckily, no matter where you live in Bloomington, odds are you don't live too far from a source of this one of a kind experience.

Penn State knocks off IU 62-57

The women's basketball team fell for the 10th time in as many tries to Penn State at Bryce Jordan Center last night, 62-57. IU forward Erin McGinnis missed a three-pointer with four seconds left as the Hoosiers trailed 60-57. Nittany Lion Kelly Mazzante picked up the rebound and completed two free throws with two seconds left to seal the victory. "I thought we played well enough to win this game," IU coach Kathi Bennett said in a press release. "We prepared hard all week long. I think we played hard today and we were in the ball game."

Team aims to break out of offensive slump

Confidence breeds good shooting. That's what women's basketball coach Kathi Bennett has stressed this season, as her "fragile" Hoosiers have averaged a Big Ten-worst 58 points per game. But after her players attacked Tuesday's practice with positive attitudes, Bennett said she feels the Hoosiers (8-8, 2-3 Big Ten) can flaunt intensity and poise Thursday night against No. 11 Purdue (13-3, 4-2 Big Ten) at Assembly Hall.

Mid Carson July sticks to punk values

Ask what keeps Mid Carson July going, and you'll hear two simple things: "Stubbornness and rebelliousness," says Mike Sullivan, better known as "Skull," a long-time friend who also serves as the band's roadie. "The inability to accept the music scene as it is keeps them going."

Security boosted for Little 500

The cream and crimson of the Little 500 may be diluted by the black and blue of police presence this weekend. The IU Student Foundation has taken steps to make sure all spectators are well-behaved and protected by requesting additional police presence at this weekend's events.

IU joins science initiative

Several Indiana institutions joined intellectual and financial forces to launch Indiana into national prominence in the life sciences industry. The Central Indiana Life Sciences Initiative was formed by the combined efforts from IU, Purdue, the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, the City of Indianapolis and the Indiana Health Industry Forum. Combined, the projects from this initiative will cost $1.5 billion for the advancement of academic and economic development.

Music writer visits campus

Many who have become successful sometimes have one great idea and then expand on it. That one idea could be anything, but one needs to know who it caters to and how to get it out to them. Experimenting on one's own and "following your nose" is the foundation of Michael Lydon's philosophy on writing.

Neal-Marshall director named by committee

IU has made a significant new hire in the placement of Oyibo Afoaku as the new director of the Neal-Marshall Black Cultural Center. Afoaku is leaving her post as the assistant director of the Black Culture Center at the University of Northern Colorado to come to IU and take over a program headed by former director Gwen Paulk, who died last spring. Afoaku will assume her new position in early January.

Ecuador plane crashes in Colombia

QUITO, Ecuador - An Ecuadorean jetliner carrying 92 people, including seven children, crashed in Colombia on Monday in the fogbound mountains of the Andes, the airline said. The Boeing 727-100 from Ecuador's TAME airline originated in the capital, Quito, and was headed to the Ecuadorean border city of Tulcan, 110 miles to the northeast. Its flight plan took it over the Colombian city of Ipiales, the airline said. It crashed near Ipiales, just over the border from Tulcan, said TAME spokeswoman, Toa Quirola. "We don't have any more information at this time," she said. The mayor's office of Ipiales said the city was foggy at the time the plane went down.

'Bathtub Gin' has national influence

An avenue of creativity mixed with pizzazz, spunk and panache. A "bootlegger of ideas, untaxed and unregulated." Something enchantingly mysterious that allows readers to delve into the minds of poets, writers of prose and the like.

Fan support near bottom of Big Ten

An IU cheerleader posed the eternal question revolving around women's basketball as she looked at the stands a minute before the IU-Penn State game at Assembly Hall. "Where is everybody?" she said. The most loyal Hoosier fans filled the short, courtside bleachers, but the south bleachers remained almost completely vacant before tipoff.

Surviving to make a sparkling return

Around The Region

INDIANAPOLIS -- Few of Indiana's 242 public libraries comply with a federal law enacted last year to keep Internet pornography off library computer screens and away from children who might view them. Library administrators say they have found the will of Congress is easier said than done.

Around The World

TULKAREM, West Bank -- Israeli troops searched homes and traded fire with Palestinians as the military took over an entire Palestinian town Monday, a first in 16 months of fighting and another blow to beleaguered Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Live football updates on www.idsnews.com

Starting this weekend, the IDS and WIUS student radio will present a special Web site for IU football fans to "watch" the games and track statistics as the game unfolds.

Students get involved in celebration

Bloomington residents can partake in the 2002 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration by becoming involved in any of the numerous volunteer activities occurring around the city. These events stem from Bloomington's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission. According to the City of Bloomington's Web site, "The commission is dedicated to raising community awareness about the philosophy, teachings and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."

Peachy keen summer treats

When I first arrived in Bloomington a few years ago, I burst into tears. I contend it was the confluence of a sleepless night, a long day of plane travel marked by multiple delays, and the growing anxiety of starting both a new degree and life in a Midwestern town more than 2,000 miles from my Bay Area home that reduced me to a pathetic puddle. My parents, who claim to know me better than I know myself, maintain that I was merely cranky from hunger.