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The Senate passes a landmark bill for trying and questioning terrorism suspects, in a 65-34 vote that split along party lines. Final approval of the bill seemed assured earlier in the day Thursday, when an amendment aimed at preserving the right of all detainees to challenge their imprisonment in federal courts was narrowly defeated.

The bill laying out how to handle terrorism detainees has undergone several changes since it was first introduced last week. Now that the legislation appears to be in its final form, Melissa Block talks with NPR's Ari Shapiro about what the bill says and what its implications would be.

In Manhattan, witnesses saw a fireball at the apartment building on the Upper East Side, where a small plane crashed into a high-rise condominium. Reports indicate that N.Y. Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle and one other person were killed, with two other possible fatalities.

The Senate Armed Services Committee votes unanimously to approve Robert Gates as the new secretary of defense. In his sole day of hearings, Gates faced questions about Iraq and U.S. troop levels. The full Senate will vote on his nomination Wednesday.

Noah Adams talks with nutritionist Marion Nestle about what it really means when foods are labeled "natural." Nestle is the Paulette Goddard Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health at New York University. Her latest book is What To Eat.

Former CIA deputy director Robert Gates is President Bush's choice to replace outgoing Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. His confirmation hearings in the Senate began today. Madeleine Brand talks to Guy Raz, who is reporting from the hearing.

Chile's former dictator Augusto Pinochet has died at the age of 91. Pinochet came to power after a 1973 coup and became one of South America's most famous rulers. Debbie Elliott talks with Nathan Crooks, editor of the Santiago Times, about violence erupting in the Chilean capital today after news of Pinochet's death broke.

Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota was recovering from brain surgery Thursday at George Washington University Hospital. As official Washington extended good wishes for his recovery, it also puzzled over the effect that his illness may have on control of the Senate.

Robert Siegel talks with Carl Levin of Michigan, ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, about the Iraq Study Group's grim assessment of Iraq. At a news conference, Levin said, "The report represents another blow at the policy of 'stay the course' that this administration has followed."

Despite deep differences over how to proceed in Iraq, the Senate gives its unanimous approval for Robert Gates to take over the reins at the Pentagon from Donald Rumsfeld. President Bush's second Secretary of Defense is taking office at a time of uncertainty over what will happen next in the war.