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Fumbling Hit Man Guilty In Texas Attack

HOUSTON, Aug. 16 (UPI) — A Houston jury found a Vietnamese immigrant guilty Tuesday of aggravated assault in an alleged murder-for-hire plot. There were three attempts on the life of Yvonne Stem of the Houston suburb of Bellaire, The Houston Chronicle reported. But she has since reconciled with the husband who is accused of trying […]

Egypt Launches Attack On Sinai Jihadists

EL ARISH, Egypt, Aug. 16 (UPI) — Egypt’s security forces, with Israel’s consent, have mounted a major operation against Islamist cells, supposedly linked to al-Qaida, in the Sinai Peninsula that have flourished in the unruly region since the fall of President Hosni Mubarak in February. In a bizarre twist of fate, the offensive, which began […]

Panetta: Triggers Would Be 'devastating'

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (UPI) — U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Tuesday if Congress fails to reduce the deficit and automatic cuts are triggered it would be “devastating.” A debt deal enacted by Congress earlier this month would cut $917 billion in spending over 10 years. The deal also creates a congressional committee charged with […]

Panetta: Triggers Would Be ‘devastating’

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (UPI) — U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Tuesday if Congress fails to reduce the deficit and automatic cuts are triggered it would be “devastating.” A debt deal enacted by Congress earlier this month would cut $917 billion in spending over 10 years. The deal also creates a congressional committee charged with […]

White House Announces Biofuels Initiative

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (UPI) — President Obama Tuesday announced an initiative to spur the biofuels industry and boost U.S. energy security. The Agriculture and Energy departments and the U.S. Navy are partnering to increase biofuels use for military and commercial transportation, the White House said in a release. The three government entities will invest $510 […]

Paul Ryan Denies Presidential Aspirations

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (UPI) — Congressional fiscal hawk Paul Ryan, R-Wis., Tuesday tapped down a report he was mulling a possible run for president. Roll Call reported what it described as a well-placed Republican operative as saying Ryan, the House Budget Committee chairman, was considering entering the 2012 race but likely would decide against it. […]

Britain: The Struggle Begins

LONDON, Aug. 16 (UPI) — Britain is sweeping up the physical debris from days of rioting that rocked the country earlier this month but the new Battle of Britain has just begun. There “will be no complacency,” British Prime Minister David Cameron said Monday. “And we will not stop until this mindless violence and thuggery […]

Report: Gov't Mortgage Role To Be Extended

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (UPI) — U.S. President Obama has told advisers to develop a proposal that would keep the government playing a major role in mortgages, sources told The Washington Post. The sources said the proposal would extend a federal loan subsidy for most home buyers. But the White House attempted to knock down the […]

Report: Gov’t Mortgage Role To Be Extended

WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (UPI) — U.S. President Obama has told advisers to develop a proposal that would keep the government playing a major role in mortgages, sources told The Washington Post. The sources said the proposal would extend a federal loan subsidy for most home buyers. But the White House attempted to knock down the […]

Rebels Set Sights On Tripoli

TRIPOLI, Libya, Aug. 16 (UPI) — Rebel forces in Libya said they have made strategic advances and hope to enter Tripoli by the end of the month. The statement came as rebel fighters battled Tuesday in Zawiyah, 33 miles west of the capital, as they strive to topple Col. Moammar Gadhafi, CNN reported. “We will […]