WASHINGTON, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- An era of record-high oil prices topping $80 a barrel has left investors and nations scrambling to develop alternative sources of energy. The theoretical annual potential of solar power is estimated to exceed all fossil fuels reserves by more than 10-20 times.

LONDON, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- A British Ministry of Defense tribunal has made a landmark ruling that Gulf War Syndrome exists, and soldiers with it must be given disability pensions.

NEW YORK, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- The latest album by Christian rock band P.O.D. has been banned by 85 percent of Christian bookstores due to its cover art, the group reports.

Several years ago, Steve Martin wrote a brief, humorous piece for The New Yorker titled "Writing is Easy!" I read it aloud to a group of writers; we chortled an