25+DEC

 **** __Senate Passes Health Care Overhaul on Party-Line Vote__ **** By ROBERT PEAR The vote clears the way for negotiations with the House, which passed a broadly similar bill last month, bringing Democrats a step closer to a goal they have pursued for decades.

****THIS LAND**** **** __From New Deal to New Hard Times, Eleanor Endures__ **** By DAN BARRY For the town of Eleanor, which took its name from the First Lady of the New Deal, government action still works.

**** __Hard-Line Rise in Iran Alters View in West__ **** By MICHAEL SLACKMAN Political turmoil has made it nearly impossible for anyone in Iran to support nuclear cooperation without being accused of capitulating to the West. **** __Chinese Dissident Gets 11-Year Prison Term__ **** By ANDREW JACOBS The punishment of Liu Xiaobo, for subversion, sent a message to others who might agitate for political reform.

**** __Women’s Deaths, and Inquiry’s Findings, Enrage Kashmir__ **** By LYDIA POLGREEN The politically explosive case is emblematic of the mistrust between Kashmiris, many of whom want independence, and the Indian government.

**** __Yemen Says It Attacked a Meeting of Al Qaeda__ **** By JACK HEALY and SCOTT SHANE Yemeni officials said a radical cleric linked to the suspect in the Fort Hood shootings might have been among the 30 people killed. **** __As Health Bill Advances, Few Changes Seen for Millions__ **** By REED ABELSON For the roughly 160 million people who receive health insurance through an employer, the result of the long, angry health care debate in Washington may be just more of the same.

**** __For Reid, a Hard Climb to the Pinnacle__ **** By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN Thursday’s vote on health care was a highlight of Harry Reid’s career, one characterized in no small part by its sheer inscrutability.

**** __Where There’s Smoke ... There’s a Trade-In__ **** By ABBY GOODNOUGH As temperatures drop, efforts to curb pollution from burning wood are clashing with tradition. **** __As Health Bill Advances, Few Changes Seen for Millions__ **** By REED ABELSON For the roughly 160 million people who receive health insurance through an employer, the result of the long, angry health care debate in Washington may be just more of the same.

**** __Rise of Wind Turbines Is a Boon for Rope Workers__ **** By KATE GALBRAITH A growing number of people who enjoy rock climbing are finding work inspecting, cleaning and repairing wind turbines.

**** __New Film Ignites Debate on Ratings Policy__ **** By BROOKS BARNES The film “It’s Complicated” received an R rating for a scene in which two stars share a joint, kicking up attacks on the M.P.A.A. for being out of touch.