Historic health care bill clears Senate hurdle
WASHINGTON (AP) — A bruising debate on health care awaits the Senate after Thanksgiving now that the historic legislation has cleared a key hurdle over the opposition of Republicans eager to inflict a punishing defeat on President Barack Obama. The bill would extend coverage to roughly 31 million who lack it, crack down on insurance company practices that deny or dilute benefits and curtail the growth of spending on medical care nationally.
Indonesian passenger ferry sinks with 242 aboard
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — An Indonesian passenger ferry with almost 250 people aboard sank in rough waters off Sumatra island Sunday, killing at least one, police said, while a second ferry ran aground in nearby waters. Rescue teams had found one body and rescued 97 people but high waves were making the operation difficult, said Brig. Gen. Puji Hartanto, police chief of Riau Kepulauan province. The passengers on the second ferry were all said to be safe.
2 bomb blasts leave 7 dead, 52 wounded in India
GAUHATI, India (AP) — Suspected militants set off two bombs outside a police station in India's restive northeast on Sunday, killing seven people and wounding more than 50, police said. Five people died instantly after two blasts went off within minutes of each other outside the station in Nalbari town near the Assam state capital, Gauhati, a local police official said. Two people died later in a hospital, he said.
Police identify gunman in deadly Saipan rampage
SAIPAN, Northern Mariana Islands (AP) — The gunman who killed four people and wounded nine in a shooting rampage on the Pacific island of Saipan was identified Sunday as a Chinese national who was believed employed at the shooting range where the deaths occurred. Li Zhongren, 42, who killed himself after Friday's shooting spree, left several notes and authorities suspect the violence was linked to his personal finances and frustrations.
More Americans expected to travel for Thanksgiving
WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans traveling away from home for Thanksgiving will be up only slightly this year from 2008, according to a report from the AAA auto club. The group, which surveyed 1,350 households, said there will be about 33.2 million people traveling by car this year — a 2.1 percent increase from last year.
Stars come out for CNN Heroes ceremony
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kate Hudson, Pierce Brosnan, Neil Patrick Harris and other stars who are used to getting applause were giving it gladly at a ceremony honoring people who make a difference in the lives of others. "I've cried twice and we're on hero three," Harris said backstage after introducing one of the 10 "CNN Heroes" celebrated Saturday by the TV news network for their efforts to fight poverty, disease and other problems.
Fort Hood suspect ordered held until court-martial
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — The Army psychiatrist charged with killing 13 people at Fort Hood will be confined until his military trial, initially staying in a hospital where he is recovering from gunshot wounds, his attorney said Saturday. During a hearing at Maj. Nidal Hasan's hospital room in San Antonio on Saturday, a magistrate ruled that there was probable cause that Hasan committed the Nov. 5 shooting spree at Fort Hood, said his civilian attorney, John Galligan. Hasan has been at Brooke Army Medical Center since the shooting, and his attorney said Hasan has been told he has permanent paralysis.
Motown caps 50th anniversary with hometown gala
DETROIT (AP) — Black ties and gowns filled a ballroom Saturday in a big-bucks salute to Detroit-style royalty — the King of Motown, the Queen of Soul and the Kid of Rock. Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, along with Aretha Franklin, Kid Rock and Motown's original kid, Stevie Wonder, came to Motown's original hometown for the Motown 50 Golden Gala. The 50th-anniversary event, which fetched $350 and up for a ticket, was a fundraiser for the Motown Historical Museum. The museum was the original home of Motown Records Corp., which Gordy started with an $800 loan.
Baby can wait as expectant dad finishes spacewalk
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A spacewalking astronaut put aside the impending birth of his daughter and blazed through his first-ever venture outside the International Space Station on Saturday. Expectant father Randolph Bresnik and Michael Foreman were so far ahead despite their late start and interrupted sleep the night before — false fire and decompression alarms jolted them awake — that their commander handed them extra work.
No. 11 Oregon tops Arizona; on track for Rose Bowl
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli watched as red-clad Arizona students ringed the sidelines as time ticked down, ready to rush the field. "I saw it and I actually smirked," Masoli said. "It was kind of funny. I wasn't really worried about it."
