Healthcare bill faces first U.S. Senate test
By John Whitesides
WASHINGTON, Nov 21 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate will cast its first crucial test vote on healthcare reform on Saturday, with Democrats close to reaching the 60 votes needed to overcome Republican opposition and open debate.
Britain's Brown visits flood-hit Cumbria
By Nigel Roddis
COCKERMOUTH (England), Nov 21 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown visited flood-hit Cumbria in north west England on Saturday to see the damage caused by record rainfall and pay tribute to a policeman who died when a bridge collapsed.
China troops eye $23,000 bonus for Tibet service
BEIJING, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Chinese soldiers from the southern boomtown of Guangzhou who are newly assigned to Tibet will get a "special allowance" of up to 160,000 yuan ($23,440) for serving there, a local newspaper reported on Saturday.
U.N. panel condemns Iran for post-election crackdown
By Louis Charbonneau
UNITED NATIONS, Nov 21 (Reuters) - The U.N. General Assembly's human rights committee condemned Iran on Friday for a violent crackdown on protesters after presidential elections this year that the Iranian opposition says were rigged.
Iran to hold drills for protecting atom facilities
By Fredrik Dahl and Hashem Kalantari
TEHRAN, Nov 21 (Reuters) - Iran will stage large-scale air defence war games next week to help protect its nuclear facilities against any attack, a senior commander was quoted as saying on Saturday.
Station alarms delay second spacewalk
By Irene Klotz
CAPE CANAVERAL (Florida), Nov 21 (Reuters) - Two spacewalkers halted a body-conditioning sleepover in a low-pressure chamber on the International Space Station on Saturday after a false depressurization alarm shut down ventilation fans.
Russia's Medvedev raps ruling party over elections
ST PETERSBURG (Russia), Nov 21 (Reuters) - President Dmitry Medvedev on Saturday scolded leaders of Russia's ruling party for failing to ensure democratic local elections last month and told them to win future contests fairly.
