Senate OKs late-term abortion ban WASHINGTON (AP) - In a rare referendum on Roe vs. Wade, the Senate went on record Thursday as saying the landmark abortion ruling established "an important constitutional right" and should not be overturned. The nonbinding resolution, sure to provide fodder for campaign ads for the 2000 election, won near-party-line support from the Senate's Democrats, and eight Republicans joined them to ensure passage. It was added to a bill that would ban certain late-term abortions, which later passed 63-34. "This is going to be an absolutely huge issue next year," declared Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., of the Roe vs. Wade resolution. The abortion-rights supporter said, "Now we see the extremists in the United States Senate." See full story <http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2561735870-a69> *** Also: Senate roll vote on Roe vs. Wade, see full story <http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2561733877-98a> Nervous bears to try herbal remedy BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) - Two bears apparently down in the dumps about life in the zoo will get a decidedly human treatment - St. John's wort. It is hoped that the herb, a sort of natural Prozac known to have antidepressant qualities in humans, will produce similar results in No Oreja and Nikki, spectacled bears that were acquired five years ago from zoos in Chicago and Detroit. After the bears' arrival at Beardsley Zoo, No Oreja - Spanish for "no ear" - began pacing in her cage. Nikki soon picked up the habit. "What happens with captive animals is they tend to get anxious and develop traits that are unacceptable, habits of spinning and pacing and just nervous attitudes in response to captivity," said Howard Hochman, a veterinarian at the zoo. See full story <http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2561731762-e38>
