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Delinquent mortgage loans drop

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:08:29 -0400

WASHINGTON, May 16 (UPI) -- The delinquency rate for U.S. mortgage contracts dropped to 7.4 percent at the end of the first quarter of 2012, a national trade group said.

Georgetown faulted for Sebelius selection

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:06:29 -0400

WASHINGTON, May 16 (UPI) -- The archbishop of Washington criticized Georgetown University for inviting Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to speak at its graduation.

Smiles and frowns over defense deals

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:01:40 -0400

MADRID, May 16 (UPI) -- There are smiles and frowns this week over contracts gained and contracts lost by Europe's defense equipment manufacturers.

Defense rests in Edwards case

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:59:42 -0400

GREENSBORO, N.C., May 16 (UPI) -- Lawyers for former Sen. John Edwards rested their case Wednesday, without calling Edwards or former mistress Rielle Hunter to testify.

Firefighters rescue 'idiots' from roof

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:55:18 -0400

AMHERST, Calif., May 16 (UPI) -- A Massachusetts fire chief said five rescuers saved a trio of "idiots" who became trapped on a 20-foot roof.

Sandusky lawyer asks dismissal of counts

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:52:40 -0400

STATE COLLEGE, Pa., May 16 (UPI) -- In motions filed Wednesday, former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky's lawyer requested that some charges in Sandusky's sexual abuse case be dismissed.

Henry Kissinger gets the pat-down at LaGuardia

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:45:35 -0400

NEW YORK, May 16 (UPI) -- Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger was submitted to a pat-down by security officials at New York's LaGuardia airport, an observer said.

Renewable energy could come from space

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:21:10 -0400

GLASGOW, Scotland, May 16 (UPI) -- Solar power gathered in space and sent back to Earth through microwaves or lasers could provide the renewable energy of the future, Scottish engineers say.

People more truthful in text messages

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:16:00 -0400

ANN ARBOR, Mich., May 16 (UPI) -- Text messaging can reveal more truthful responses to sensitive questions as people are more candid in them than in voice interviews, U.S. researchers say.

U.S. megafires put down to human activity

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:15:12 -0400

DALLAS, May 16 (UPI) -- Today's mega forest fires in the U.S. Southwest are truly unusual compared to the long-term record and may be the result of human activity, researchers say.

Baby galaxies grew quickly to sustain life

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:03:37 -0400

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, May 16 (UPI) -- Galaxies in the young universe evolved faster than previously thought, offering the potential for early planet formation and life, Danish researchers say.

4 Guardian Angels stabbed after robbery

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:00:32 -0400

CHICAGO, May 16 (UPI) -- Four members of the Guardian Angels were stabbed after they intervened when a passenger on a Chicago subway was beaten and robbed, police said.

Obama to urge lawmakers on 'to do' list

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:51:46 -0400

WASHINGTON, May 16 (UPI) -- President Obama handed a five-point economic "to do" list to U.S. lawmakers Wednesday that the White House says is designed to aid an economic upturn.

Early stock gains fading Wednesday

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:46:18 -0400

NEW YORK, May 16 (UPI) -- U.S. stock market gains were fading Wednesday as worries over the Greek economy continue to shake investor confidence.

Oil industry doubts ethanol's price impact

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:22:36 -0400

WASHINGTON, May 16 (UPI) -- The oil industry fired back this week at a study that contends gasoline prices in the United States would be more than $1 per gallon higher if not for ethanol.

U.S. targets threats to Yemen transition

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:22:16 -0400

WASHINGTON, May 16 (UPI) -- President Obama signed an executive order Wednesday freezing U.S.-based assets of those who obstruct a November agreement on transition of power in Yemen.

EU presses Kiev on Tymoshenko case

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:18:26 -0400

BRUSSELS, May 16 (UPI) -- Kiev is expected to take seriously calls to step back from its selective use of justice and politically motivated trials, a European leader said.

Somalia entering critical phase, U.N. says

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:16:36 -0400

UNITED NATIONS, May 16 (UPI) -- Financial and logistical support is needed from the international community to help implement the transition plan under way in Somalia, a U.N. official said.

Mladic accused of ethnic cleansing

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:11:06 -0400

THE HAGUE, Netherlands, May 16 (UPI) -- Former Bosnian Serb military commander Ratko Mladic helped orchestrate an ethnic cleaning campaign in Bosnia in the 1990s, a prosecutor said.

Thales continues work for Jordan

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:04:02 -0400

PARIS, May 16 (UPI) -- Thales of France is extending Jordan's TETRA communications network, which links the armed forces, public security and civil defense agencies.

General Dynamics to provide communications support

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:59:21 -0400

FAIRFAX, Va., May 16 (UPI) -- General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems has been contracted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for communications support.

Record low rates push mortgage activity up

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:53:18 -0400

WASHINGTON, May 16 (UPI) -- The Mortgage Bankers Association said U.S. mortgage activity rose 9.2 percent in the week ended Friday with interest rates hitting record lows.

Harris gets $39M USSOCOM order

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:44:51 -0400

MELBOURNE, Fla., May 16 (UPI) -- U.S. Special Operations Command is receiving advanced tactical radio units from Harris Corp. under its Capital Equipment Replacement Program.

Rookie Florence wins Billabong Rio

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:44:25 -0400

RIO DE JANEIRO, May 16 (UPI) -- Hawaiian teenager John John Florence won his first Association of Surfing Professionals tournament Wednesday at the Billabong Rio Pro in Brazil.

Man said to spray weed killer on bird

Wed, 16 May 2012 12:39:01 -0400

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla., May 16 (UPI) -- A 59-year-old Florida man has been arrested after being accused of spraying weed killer on a macaw on his neighbor's patio, records say.