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Rights Situation In Belarus Worries U.S.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9 (UPI) — Washington is deeply concerned by reports that a top Belarusian human rights activist was arrested by state authorities, the State Department said. Belarus is facing mounting international criticism over its human rights record following a crackdown against opponents of President Alexander Lukashenko following last year’s election. Belarusian authorities had charged […]

Maryland Woman, Robyn Gardner, Missing In Aruba

ORANJESTAD, Aruba, Aug. 9 (UPI) — A Maryland woman has vanished in Aruba, and the man she was traveling with has been arrested on the Caribbean island, police said. Robyn Gardner, 35, of Frederick, Md., has not been seen since Aug. 2, The Washington Post reported Tuesday. Gary Giordano, who was arrested at the airport […]

Stress Can Boost Student Performance

CHICAGO, Aug. 9 (UPI) — Stress can improve performance for confident students but lower it for more anxious ones, a University of Chicago researcher says. Knowing how to deal with stress can make a big difference in performance, says Sian Beilock, an associate psychology professor and expert on poor performance by talented people. In a […]

U.S. Facing Myriad Of Threats In Pakistan

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9 (UPI) — Terrorist activity, as well as severe restrictions on official movement in Pakistan, is behind the latest travel warning, the U.S. State Department said. The State Department announced it has issued a travel warning for U.S. citizens in Pakistan, an ally in Washington’s fight against international terrorist groups like al-Qaida. “The […]

Returnees Now Face Scrutiny At U.S., Mexico Border

PHOENIX, Aug. 9 (UPI) — Efforts to stop the flow of guns and money from the United States to Mexico have made it more difficult for illegal immigrants to return home, officials say. U.S. immigration agents now scrutinize passengers on southbound buses, The New York Times reports. Pedestrians and those traveling by car are also […]

Rumors Surround Syria's Defense Minister

DAMASCUS, Syria, Aug. 9 (UPI) — Syrian President Bashar Assad swore in Gen. Dawood Rajiha as the country’s defense minister Tuesday, the state news agency said. The official Syrian Arab News Agency reports Assad received Rajiha, a Christian, as the new defense minister “and provided him with his directives.” The announcement followed reports that former […]

Rumors Surround Syria’s Defense Minister

DAMASCUS, Syria, Aug. 9 (UPI) — Syrian President Bashar Assad swore in Gen. Dawood Rajiha as the country’s defense minister Tuesday, the state news agency said. The official Syrian Arab News Agency reports Assad received Rajiha, a Christian, as the new defense minister “and provided him with his directives.” The announcement followed reports that former […]

$99M U.S. Navy Contract For SAIC

MCLEAN, Va., Aug. 9 (UPI) — Science Applications International Corp. has won a $99 million contract from the U.S. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center for C4ISR services. The prime contract for command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance is an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity award. It features a one-year base period of performance and six one-year […]

Prof Said To Retaliate Against Students

CHESTER, Pa., Aug. 9 (UPI) — Widener University Law School says it suspended an instructor for allegedly retaliating against students who said he made violent, racist and sexist statements. Lawrence J. Connell, an associate professor, has been suspended for a year without pay, ordered to undergo psychiatric treatment and formally apologize, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. […]

Sony Warehouse Burned To Ground In London Riots

LONDON, Aug. 9 (UPI) — A Sony warehouse was looted of CDs and DVDs, then burned to the ground during a third day of rioting in London, a company representative said. Police struggled to gain control of the city from groups of young people who have been vandalizing businesses and vehicles, setting fires and stealing […]