WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic senators pressed ahead Saturday toward a crucial first vote on President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, a test of party unity in the face of solid Republican opposition. "There's much we need to do to make sure we have a health care system that works for all people, not just a few," said Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., as debate got under way in a rare weekend session.
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama's eight-day trip to Asia produced no tangible wins for the United States, though he is citing talks with Asian allies that he says could help create thousands of job and open new markets for American goods in the future. Citing progress on a trip that took him from Tokyo to Seoul, Obama noted that "Asia is a region where we now buy more goods and do more trade with than any other place in the world - commerce that supports millions of jobs back home."
Quick restart of Big Bang machine stuns scientists GENEVA (AP) - Scientists moved Saturday to prepare the world's largest atom smasher for exploring the depths of matter after successfully restarting the $10 billion machine following more than a year of repairs. The nuclear physicists working on the Large Hadron Collider were surprised that they could so quickly get beams of protons whizzing near the speed of light during the restart late Friday, said James Gillies, spokesman for the European Organization for Nuclear Research.
HARBIN, China (AP) - Rescuers working in frigid cold and darkness tried to reach 66 people believed trapped a third of a mile (half a kilometer) underground after a huge gas explosion Saturday ripped through a coal mine in northern China, killing at least 42 people. The pre-dawn blast at the state-run Xinxing mine in Heilongjiang province near the border with Russia is latest to hit China's deadly mining industry. Authorities say parlous safety is improving, but hundreds still die in major accidents each year.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Republicans are seizing on this week's recommendations for fewer Pap smears and mammograms to fuel concern about government-rationed medical care - and to try to chip away support by women for President Barack Obama's proposed health care overhaul. "This is how rationing starts," declared Jon Kyl of Arizona, the party's second-in-command in the Senate, during a news conference. "This is what we're going to expect in the future."
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - An astronaut anticipating the birth of his daughter at any moment embarked on the first spacewalk of his career Saturday, tackling a load of maintenance work outside the International Space Station. Atlantis crewman Randolph Bresnik ventured out into the black void for the mission's second spacewalk as his wife, Rebecca, was on the verge of giving birth to their second child. They also have a 3-year-old son.
Life requested for US suspect in Italy murder case PERUGIA, Italy (AP) - Prosecutors on Saturday asked an Italian court to hand down life sentences to an American student and her ex-boyfriend for their alleged roles in the fatal stabbing of a young British woman during a drug-fueled sex game. In their closing arguments, prosecutors said Amanda Knox and Raffaele Sollecito should be convicted on charges of murder and sexual violence for the 2007 slaying of Meredith Kercher. They deny wrongdoing.
KABUL (AP) - Khalid Khan stares through the dusty window pane, down across the rooftops of the capital, and wonders if they really know where he lives. Once on the front lines of the international effort to rebuild Afghanistan, the black-bearded contractor now sits idle - cross-legged and quiet on the floor of the small hilltop home he shares with another family after he had to sell his own.
DETROIT (AP) - Berry Gordy founded what would become Motown Records a half-century ago with an $800 loan. Today, that would get you two tickets with a bit to spare to the Motown 50 Golden Gala. For $200 more, you can attend a VIP event and a swanky party afterward.
Westwood's 66 maintains 2-shot lead in Dubai DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Lee Westwood maintained his two-shot lead at the Dubai World Championships after shooting a 6-under 66 Saturday in the third round. The Englishman made six birdies to take his total to 15-under 201. England's Ross McGowan was second after a 66.
