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NASA postponed the space shuttle Atlantis's originally scheduled Dec. 6 liftoff for the second time Saturday, pushing it back to January because of continuing problems with a fuel sensor. The shuttle will deliver Europe's Columbus science laboratory module to the International Space Station.

US and Russian missile defense negotiators plan to meet in Hungary Thursday to discuss possible cooperation, the State Department announced. Russia has opposed President Bush's idea for deploying missile defense facilities in former Soviet satellite nations. This will mark the fourth meeting on the subject since July.

Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey welcomed shoppers and retailers back to the Westroads Mall Saturday, reassuring them that the city supported the mall's reopening three days after a teenager's shooting rampage there led to nine deaths, including the gunman's.

The 14-county Central California Diocese of San Joaquin voted to become the first to secede from the US Episcopal Church because of differences over the role of homosexuality. The largely rural diocese formally accepted an invitation to align with the conservative Anglican church based in South America. Above, Bishop John-David Schofield (c.) speaks to reporters about the diocese's vote.

In the first major shift in 30 years, the Agriculture Department said it will add more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and lessen dairy and other products to its program for feeding poor women and children, beginning next year. Hunger advocates praised the changes as a nutritional improvement.

The Better Day BP fuel station, store, and carwash in Racine, Wis., is the first gas station in the US to use all energy-efficient LED (light-emitting diode) lighting, Racine's Journal Times reported. The station owner hopes to save 62 percent on electricity usage over the 30-year life expectancy of the LEDs.

University of Florida sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow became the first underclassmen in the 73-year history of the Heisman Trophy to be named college football's most outstanding player when presented the award Saturday in New York. In media balloting, Tebow, who ran for 20 touchdowns and threw for 20 more, an unmatched feat, beat out Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, the runner-up for the second year in a row.

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