Obama says it's now Senate's turn on health care

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama said Sunday it was time for the Senate to "take the baton" on health care reform after the House passed its plan for overhauling the nation's health care system. "For years we've been told that this couldn't be done," Obama said in a brief statement from the Rose Garden. "But last night the Houseproved different."

Army chaplain seeks prayers for Fort Hood shooter

FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) — Mourners were asked to pray for the man authorities say went on a shooting spree at Fort Hood and his family, and an Army chaplain exhorted his congregation on Sunday to draw together even if the gunman's motives may never be fully known. "Lord, all those around us search for motive, search for meaning, search for something, someone to blame. That is so frustrating," Col. Frank Jackson told a group of about 120 people gathered at the post's chapel. "Today, we pause to hear from you. So Lord, as we pray together, we focus on things we know.''

Iraq electoral law passes, sets up national vote

BAGHDAD (AP) - Iraq's parliament passed on Sunday a long-delayed law in a crucial step to setting up nationwide elections, and the head of the electoral commission said he did not expect any major delays in the vote planned for January. The decision appeared to resolve a key sticking point - who will be allowed to vote in the disputed, oil-rich city of Kirkuk. U.S. Ambassador Christopher Hill could be seen shuttling between various political factions in the hours leading up to the passage of the law, in an indication of Washington's concern that a delay in the election could hold up the American troop withdrawal from Iraq.

Ida now a Category 2 storm with 100 mph winds

MIAMI (AP) - Hurricane Ida strengthened to a Category 2 storm on Sunday, and a hurricane watch was extended to the Florida Panhandle as Ida made its way across the Gulf of Mexico. The hurricane watch now stretches from southeastern Louisiana to Mexico Beach, Fla. Forecasters at the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said Ida's winds are now near 100 mph (160 kph), and Ida could get stronger later Sunday.

Afghan vows to keep corrupt officials out of govt

KABUL (AP) — The embattled Afghan president pledged Sunday that there would be no place for corrupt officials in his new administration — a demand made by Washington and its international partners as they ponder sending more troops to confront the Taliban and shore up his government. Also Sunday, NATO reported three more coalition soldiers — one American and two Britons — died in combat in the Taliban-infested areas of the west and south. The latest losses pushed Britain's combat death toll in the eight-year Afghan war to 201.

AP IMPACT: Framed for child porn - by a PC virus

Of all the sinister things that Internet viruses do, this might be the worst: They can make you an unsuspecting collector of child pornography. Heinous pictures and videos can be deposited on computers by viruses - the malicious programs better known for swiping your credit card numbers. In this twist, it's your reputation that's stolen.

Pakistan bomb kills anti-Taliban mayor, 11 others

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) - A suicide bomber blew himself up Sunday in a market in northwest Pakistan crowded with shoppers ahead of a Muslim holiday, killing 12 people, including a mayor who once supported but had turned against the Taliban, officials said. In the heavily guarded capital, police shot and killed another suicide bomber before he was able to detonate his explosives at a checkpoint, an officer said.

Utah girl's pierced nose: US-Indian culture clash

To 12-year-old Suzannah Pabla, piercing her nose was a way to connect with her roots in India. To Suzannah's school, it was a dress-code violation worthy of a suspension. To other Indians, the incident was emblematic of how it can still be difficult for the American melting pot to absorb certain aspects of their cultural and religious traditions.

New fair targets France's 260,000 annual divorcés

PARIS (AP) - The city of romance got a lesson in love's hard knocks Sunday, as thousands flocked to the French capital's first divorce fair. In France, nearly one out of two marriages ends in divorce, according to the country's National Institute of Demographic Studies. More than 130,000 divorces were registered in 2007, as compared to just 50,000 three decades ago.

Carrey's 'Christmas Carol' wraps up $31M weekend

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Jim Carrey's Scrooge is collecting holiday donations from movie fans with a $31 million opening weekend to take the No. 1 spot with his new take on "A Christmas Carol." The Disney animated version of the Charles Dickens classic features Carrey as Ebenezer Scrooge and as all three Christmas ghosts that show Scrooge the error of his miserly ways.

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