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.

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.

AFP - President Barack Obama's health reform faces a landmark first test in the US Senate Saturday as Democratic leaders strive to lock down support for a vote that would allow them to launch a formal floor debate on the proposal.

AFP - The weaker of two Bangladeshi twins separated from her conjoined sister in landmark surgery in Australia woke fully from a coma Saturday -- and blew her guardian a raspberry.

AFP - President Barack Obama's health reform faces a landmark first test in the US Senate Saturday as Democratic leaders strive to lock down support for a vote that would allow them to launch a formal floor debate on the proposal.

AFP - President Barack Obama's health reform faces a landmark first test in the US Senate Saturday as Democratic leaders strive to lock down support for a vote that would allow them to launch a formal floor debate on the proposal.

AFP - The impoverished Bangladeshi mother of conjoined twins separated last week in a complex operation in Australia says she is overjoyed at the news the twins are doing well, but doesn't want them back.

AFP - The weaker of two Bangladeshi twins separated from her conjoined sister in landmark surgery in Australia woke fully from a coma Saturday -- and blew her guardian a 'raspberry.'

AFP - Democrats in the US Senate strove to lock down support to prevail in a landmark first test vote of President Barack Obama's top domestic priority, remaking the US health care system.

AFP - President Barack Obama's Democratic allies in the Senate strove to lock down support to prevail in a landmark first test vote on his top domestic priority, remaking the US health care system.

AP - When the nation's swine flu vaccination program began in early October, health officials predicted it was going to be "messy." They were right.

AP - Formerly conjoined Bangladeshi twins separated this week in a marathon surgery will remain in the care of a humanitarian group for at least two years, the organization's CEO said Friday.

AFP - China has ordered more accurate reporting of swine flu deaths after a doctor renowned for helping expose the scale of the 2003 SARS outbreak claimed the true number of fatalities was being covered up.

AP - The first county-by-county survey of obesity reflects past studies that show the rate of obesity is highest in the Southeast and Appalachia. High rates of obesity and diabetes were reported in more than 80 percent of counties in the Appalachian region that includes Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia, according to the new research from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

AFP - A second Bangladeshi twin is waking "slowly" and should be conscious later, three days after being separated from her conjoined sister in Australia, a hospital official said Friday.

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Diarrhea in infants is common, often a quick bout caused by a virus. But in some cases among young children, diarrhea can quickly become dangerous, says the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

HealthDay - (HealthDay News) -- Cesarean section is a surgical alternative to vaginal birth. After this surgery, the new mom needs time to recover.

HealthDay - THURSDAY, Nov. 19 (HealthDay News) -- Seniors who eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and who have good cognitive function are much less likely to die from heart disease than those who have poorer cognitive function and eat fewer fruits and vegetables, a new study has found.

HealthDay - THURSDAY, Nov. 19 (HealthDay News) -- Parents who take the time to know what their teenage children are up to and have strong anti-drug views can be effective in reducing their children's marijuana use, a new study says.

HealthDay - THURSDAY, Nov. 19 (HealthDay News) -- The less you smoke, the more birthdays you'll have, says the American Cancer Society as it encourages smokers to quit on Thursday, the day of the 34th Great American Smokeout.