News

Ifill defends book, objectivity

In a recent Newseum event, PBS television anchor Gwen Ifill defended her recent book, "The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama," against criticism that it contained pro-Obama biases. The book describes the rise of a new generation of black politicians in America.

Bookstore business still strong

AU's Campus Store has not seen a decline in sales despite the current economic crisis, according to Elio DiStaola, public and campus relations director for the Follett Higher Education Group. The company manages more than 750 U.S. bookstores, including AU's Campus Store.

Campus brief

Unlike many other colleges, AU is standing on a "very solid fiscal foundation," Provost Scott Bass explained during a Jan. 21 town hall meeting on AU's budget. Bass and Vice President of Finance and Treasurer Don Myers told members of the AU community the university's budget is dependent upon student tuition, not endowment.

Metro brief

A Prince George's County, Md., man who was wounded after being shot by a police officer in 2006, lost a $2.4 million award Friday after a jury determined the police officer did nothing wrong, The Washington Post reported. County officer David Coleman fired five shots and hit Shaw twice after an argument between Shaw and his girlfriend on Jan.

International brief

An avalanche at a ski resort in northeastern Turkey killed at least ten people Sunday, according to CNN.com. The mountaineers killed in the avalanche were part of a group that was hiking at the resort in Zigana. Gumushane Governor Enver Salihoglu told CNN-Turk that at least seven people had been rescued.

Ball attendees crowd venue

Even after the cupcakes and other hors d'oeuvres were gone, student musicians entertained crowds Friday night at the AU Inaugural Ball, co-hosted by the AU College Democrats and the International Student Association's Leadership Team. More than 200 students filled the rooms of the KORUS House, a South Korean cultural venue meant to promote U.S.-Korean relations, said Hosan Kim, the project coordinator for the KORUS House.

AU reacts to death of GW student

After George Washington University junior Laura Treanor was found dead in her dorm room Friday morning, AU Public Safety asserted its confidence in AU's ability to handle a similar crisis. The Metropolitan Police Department had not yet determined the cause of Treanor's death as of press time Sunday, but it has reported that the death appears to have been of natural causes and is not likely a homicide or suicide.

National brief

Three state highway workers found a tire filled with about $100,000 in cash while picking up trash along Interstate 70 east of Indianapolis Friday, The Indianapolis Star reported. Police told the Star the workers found the tire, which appeared to be from a large truck, in a ditch.

Crowds and Stars Unite at Musical Celebration for Obama

Crowds of AU students gathered in front of the Lincoln Memorial with stars of all varieties and hundreds of thousands of people, according to the Washington Post, for the "We Are One" inaugural concert on Sunday. The concert featured musical performances and readings of historical passages by celebrities, as well as speeches by then President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden.

International brief

Over 160 miners survived for more than a day trapped in a mile-deep South African gold mine, CNN.com reported. Six of the 167 trapped miners were hospitalized for smoke inhalation following their rescue Sunday from the Blyvoor No. 5 mine owned by Drdgold.

Inauguration: From our eyes

The Eagle sent students out on Jan. 20 to capture history in photos. Here are some of our favorite shots from Inauguration Day.

MPD meets MGC

Metro brief

A pileup involving 42 vehicles resulted in two deaths Monday near the border of Frederick and Washington counties in Maryland, according to The Washington Post. A dozen of the injured went to Washington County Hospital in Hagerstown, Md., and many of the rest went to a Hagerstown Red Cross shelter, where they were given food and counseling.

Police blotter

Jan. 13 A student in Letts Hall briefly lost consciousness while exercising on a rowing machine. When he regained consciousness, he indicated he was dizzy and his head hurt. He declined medical attention. He signed a medical refusal form. A shuttle bus operator noticed an unresponsive individual lying on the front seat of an AU shuttle.

Crowds gather to witness Inauguration

Inauguration Day was a chance for some AU students to witness a historical and inspiring ceremony in the company of millions of other Americans, but for others it meant freezing in endless lines without ever catching a glimpse of newly-inaugurated President Barack Obama.

Students capitalize on Obama, Inauguration

Unlike many people who attended President Barack Obama's inauguration Tuesday, University of Maryland student Jameel Spriggs woke up at 9 a.m. - hours after many had already arrived at the National Mall. But unlike the millions who packed the Mall, hoping to catch a glimpse of history, Spriggs was there to work.

National brief

Fifteen bonnethead sharks died overnight and were found in their tank at the Indianapolis Zoo Tuesday, according to TheIndyChannel.com. An excess of ozone in the tank caused the deaths, according to zoo veterinarians. Ozone is used to dissolve organic waste in the tank.