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.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin has banned Rep. Patrick Kennedy from receiving Communion, the central sacrament of the church, in Rhode Island because of the congressman's support for abortion rights, Kennedy said in a newspaper interview published Sunday. The decision by the outspoken prelate, reported on The Providence Journal's Web site, significantly escalates a bitter dispute between Tobin, an ultra orthodox bishop, and Kennedy, a son of the nation's most famous Roman Catholic family.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Sen. Edward M. Kennedy will be a tough act to follow, even for the Kennedys. His death, coupled with the decision by family members not to seek the seat he held for nearly five decades, has prompted predictions that the family's long-running political dynasty is over. There's talk the Kennedy political bloodlines are running thin. Some say the younger brood lacks the grit and zest for political combat that drove the liberal Democrat to become one of the leading politicians of the last 40 years.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - An astronaut in space is finally a new dad. Atlantis crewman Randolph Bresnik announced the birth of his daughter Abigail on Sunday morning, after being notified privately of the good news.
JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) - Rescuers saved more than 230 people aboard an Indonesian passenger ferry that sank Sunday in rough waters off Sumatra island, but at least nine people have died, an official said. An unknown number of passengers were still missing. A second ferry was still stranded in nearby waters after running aground, but all its passengers were said to be safe.
Top Iran reformer sentenced to 6 years in jail TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - A top reformer has been sentenced to six years in jail after he stood trial on charges of fomenting unrest to topple the Iranian regime, his lawyer said Sunday. Saleh Nikbakht said he planned to appeal the verdict against former vice president Mohammad Ali Abtahi.
JERUSALEM (AP) - Israeli aircraft attacked two suspected weapons-making factories and a smuggling tunnel in the Gaza Strip early Sunday in what the military said was retaliation for Palestinian rocket fire into southern Israel. The airstrikes, which wounded at least seven people - including one seriously - came despite an announcement by Gaza's Hamas rulers that the territory's military factions had all agreed to stop firing rockets. The Hamas announcement came late Saturday, after the rocket attack.
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.
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.
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."
