Two moderate lawmakers announced their support to begin debate on health care legislation, giving Senate Democrats the 60 votes needed to overcome a key hurdle and push the bill forward.

Pope Benedict met artists from around the world in the Sistine Chapel and urged them to inject spirituality into their work, saying contemporary beauty was often "illusory and deceitful."

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.

Hackers break into the electronic files of one of the world's foremost climate research centers and post an array of e-mails which causes a stir among skeptics who say discussions show a conspiracy.

After offering a home in his church to disaffected Anglicans, Pope Benedict XVI assures the archbishop of Canterbury that he is still committed to seeking closer ties between Catholics and Anglicans.

Marines treated for post-traumatic stress had to undergo therapy for months in temporary trailers where they could hear live-fire training, according to servicemen and their former psychiatrist.

U.S. Sen. John McCain says that he enjoyed reading running mate Sarah Palin's new memoir and downplays any tension between their campaign aides as "no big deal."

Ireland has given up hope of getting its World Cup playoff against France replayed because of Thierry Henrys hand ball.

For some in a Fort Hood platoon that lost three in the on-base attack, anxiety is heightened ahead of an early January deployment to Afghanistan.

Army Maj. Nidal M. Hasan exchanged e-mails with a radical Yemeni American cleric and began to discuss surreptitious financial transfers, according to two sources.

After decades of denials from the owners of a Nevada mine, dangerous levels of uranium and arsenic in drinking water have been tied to a World War II-era copper mine.

A gas explosion tore through a state-run coal mine in China, killing 42 people and leaving 66 others trapped underground as rescuers worked hastily to save them.

Italian prosecutors request life in prison for American Amanda Knox and her ex-boyfriend, who are accused in the fatal stabbing of her British roommate.

Asian carp may have breached an electronic barrier designed to prevent the giant invaders from upsetting the ecosystem in the Great Lakes and jeopardizing a $7 billion sport fishery.

A civil rights organization says it has identified at least 50 new right-wing militia groups that have formed within the last two years, in part coinciding with the advent of the Obama administration.

The U.S. has spent $53 billion for relief and reconstruction in Iraq, but Iraqis' inability to maintain what's left behind could waste hundreds of millions of dollars and jeopardize basic services.

Disparities in gifted schooling exist in every state, according to the National Association for Gifted Children, which blames low federal funding and a focus on low-performing students.

Italian police on Saturday arrested two Pakistani men accused of providing logistical support for last year's terror attacks in Mumbai, officials said.

Evan Turner had 26 points and 14 rebounds, his fourth double-double in as many games, and No. 15 Ohio State beat No. 13 California 76-70 on Friday night in the third-place game of the 2K Sports Classic.

Police say a woman has died after being struck along with nine children by a car outside an Alabama middle school.

Tate Forcier threw four interceptions and fumbled in his own end zone, and No. 9 Ohio State took advantage to beat Michigan 21-10 Saturday for its sixth straight win in the series.

Mark Ingram ran for 102 yards and two long touchdowns in the first half, and No. 2 Alabama breezed to a 45-0 win over Chattanooga on Saturday.

Tim Tebow accounted for three touchdowns and Brandon Spikes returned an interception for a score to extend the nations longest winning streak to 21 games Saturday.

Freshman Lonnie Pryor ran for a pair of touchdowns, including a 3-yard run with 32 seconds left, and Florida State beat Maryland 29-26 on Saturday to become bowl eligible for the 28th straight year.

Two fingers and a tooth removed from Galileo Galilei's corpse in a Florentine basilica in the 18th century and given up for lost have been found again and will soon be put on display.