House opens debate on health care overhaul bill
WASHINGTON (AP) _ President Barack Obama’s landmark health care overhaul moved toward a vote in the House Saturday after anti-abortion lawmakers won a chance to knock out language that would let federally subsidized health care plans cover abortions. Democratic leaders were hopeful they could pass the bill, giving Obama his biggest victory since last November’s historic election, no matter how the abortion issue is decided. Obama planned a rare Saturday visit to Capitol Hill in an effort to cement a majority to pass legislation that is certain to be seen as a test of his presidency.
Suspect asked for advice on going to fight Muslims
FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) _ The Army psychiatrist suspected of going on a shooting rampage at Fort Hood recently asked for advice on what he should tell fellow soldiers concerned about fighting Muslims in Iraq or Afghanistan, a local Muslim leader said Saturday. Osman Danquah, co-founder of the Islamic Community of Greater Killeen, said he spoke with the suspected shooter, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, after two services in late summer. During the conversations, Danquah said Hasan never expressed anger toward the Army or indicated any plans for violence.
Afghan gov’t says UN representative out of line
KABUL (AP) _ Pushing back against international criticism, Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry said Saturday that the top U.N. official in the country overstepped his authority by giving instructions on how to rid the government of corruption and warlords. Norwegian diplomat Kai Eide joined a host of international figures, including President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who have called on the Afghan government to take concrete steps to clean up the government following a presidential election that was marred by fraud.
Police: Fla. shooting suspect was angry at company
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) _ The engineer accused of fatally shooting one worker and wounding five others at the firm where he once worked appeared briefly in court Saturday and was ordered held without bond. A judge ordered that Jason Rodriguez, 40, be held without bail at the Orange County Jail in Orlando for Friday’s shooting. His defense attorney, Bob Wesley, asked the judge that police and prosecutors have no contact with Rodriguez without his permission.
Afghan ministry: NATO strike kills Afghan soldiers
KABUL (AP) _ Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry said Saturday that a NATO airstrike in the western province of Badghis the previous day mistakenly hit a joint base housing coalition troops and Afghan security forces, killing four Afghan soldiers and three policemen. NATO said it and Afghan authorities were investigating whether an alliance airstrike during an operation Friday to rescue two missing American paratroopers had caused casualties. It said it could not confirm whether the base had been hit.
G-20 finance officials: Too early to end stimulus
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) _ Finance officials from rich and developing countries pledged Saturday to maintain emergency support for their economies until recovery is assured and committed themselves to urgent action on tackling climate change. U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said the "process of growth is now beginning" but warned that ending stimulus measures too early would be damaging to the economy.
Another attack leaves US Muslims fearing backlash
As word spread that a gunman had opened fire at Fort Hood leaving a trail of carnage, a chilling realization swept across the U.S. Muslim community: He has an Islamic name. From a professor who just testified in Congress, to a White House adviser appearing before a Jewish group and a former Marine driving home from work, Muslims across the country were shocked, angry and afraid that the attack would erode efforts to erase anti-Islamic stereotypes.
Iran lawmakers: No shipment of uranium abroad
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) _ Senior Iranian lawmakers rejected on Saturday any possibility of Tehran shipping uranium abroad for further enrichment, intensifying pressures on the government to reject the U.N.-backed plan altogether. Prominent conservative lawmaker Alaeddin Boroujerdi said Iran won’t ship its low enriched uranium abroad in a single batch or in several shipments, a compromise suggested by some government officials, under any circumstances.
Police: LA celebrity burglaries led by 19-year-old
LAS VEGAS (AP) _ A 19-year-old woman was the driving force behind a youthful burglary ring that preyed on Hollywood’s rich and famous, often brazenly walking into unlocked homes to make off with cash, jewels and family heirlooms, authorities said. A suspect turned informant, Nicholas Prugo, told Los Angeles police detectives that Rachel Jungeon Lee spearheaded the break-ins, motivated by a desire to own the designer clothes and jewelry of such celebrities as Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton, according to a Las Vegas police search warrant obtained by The Associated Press on Friday.
Mickelson takes lead over Woods, Watney at HSBC
SHANGHAI (AP) _ Tiger Woods stalled with pars. Phil Mickelson poured it on with birdies. The back nine Saturday at the HSBC Champions changed names atop the leaderboard, as Mickelson made three birdies over the last five holes for a 5-under 67 that took him from a two-shot deficit to a two-shot lead over Woods and Nick Watney in the final World Golf Championship of the year.
