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Pastor: Willow Creek Church Not Anti-gay

CHICAGO, Aug. 12 (UPI) — The pastor of a suburban Chicago mega-church says it isn’t anti-gay — it doesn’t accept any sex outside of marriage, gay or heterosexual. “We challenge homosexuals and heterosexuals to live out the sexual ethics taught in scriptures, which encourage sexual expression between a man and a woman in the context […]

July Retail Up Higher Than Expected

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 (UPI) — Retail sales in July rose a slim 0.5 percent, one tick higher than expected, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Friday. Retail sales, including food service sales, adjusted for seasonal variations but not for prices, were $390.4 billion, an 8.5 percent increase from July 2010, the bureau said in a release. […]

Canadian House Fire Kills Mother, Two Kids

ALEXANDRIA, Ontario, Aug. 12 (UPI) — A house fire in the Canadian town of Alexandria has left a mother and two children dead, officials said. The fire in Ontario province Friday seriously injured the woman’s husband and another child, who were being treated for their injuries at a local hospital, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported. […]

Abbas: Not Trying To Delegitimize Israel

RAMALLAH, West Bank, Aug. 12 (UPI) — Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas told U.S. congressional members he wants a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza — without settlements. Abbas reviewed Palestinian policy on resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on the two-state solution and the 1967 borders that would lead to the establishment of […]

Peace Institute Honors Afghan Defense Advisers Program

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 (UPI) — Some American civilians who have been working in Afghanistan to ease the transition of power from U.S. forces to Afghans say local authorities are taking more control of their finances but a senior defense official said the U.S. transition effort should have begun earlier. The U.S. Institute of Peace had […]

Iran Proposes Peacekeepers For London

TEHRAN, Aug. 12 (UPI) — Tehran notes the “crimes and brutality” continue in London at the hands of the “despotic monarchy” and said it was time to send in peacekeepers. Iran has lobbed criticism against the British government as rioters laid siege to the streets of London in recent days. The French Ministry of Interior […]

Industry Says Recommendations On Fracking 'disappointing'

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 (UPI) — The oil and natural gas industry called a U.S. Department of Energy panel’s recommendations for regulation of hydraulic fracturing “disappointing and confusing.” An environmental watchdog group also was disappointed but for different reasons. American Petroleum Institute President Jack Gerard praised the committee’s acknowledgement of the economic and energy security benefits […]

Industry Says Recommendations On Fracking ‘disappointing’

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 (UPI) — The oil and natural gas industry called a U.S. Department of Energy panel’s recommendations for regulation of hydraulic fracturing “disappointing and confusing.” An environmental watchdog group also was disappointed but for different reasons. American Petroleum Institute President Jack Gerard praised the committee’s acknowledgement of the economic and energy security benefits […]

PM: It's A New Era For Cambodia, Thailand

BANGKOK, Aug. 12 (UPI) — Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to discuss troop withdrawals from the area near the Preah Vihear temple, where clashes killed several people. The agreement to meet is a sign relations between the neighboring countries are improving, the Bangkok Post reported Friday. Commanders from Thailand’s Second Army Region and Cambodia’s Division […]

PM: It’s A New Era For Cambodia, Thailand

BANGKOK, Aug. 12 (UPI) — Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to discuss troop withdrawals from the area near the Preah Vihear temple, where clashes killed several people. The agreement to meet is a sign relations between the neighboring countries are improving, the Bangkok Post reported Friday. Commanders from Thailand’s Second Army Region and Cambodia’s Division […]