NATION IN BRIEF: 2 crews will be in space for holiday

NASA on Monday added a 16th day to space shuttle Endeavour’s mission to the international station to give the astronauts more time to fix a machine that’s supposed to turn urine into drinking water. Meanwhile, astronauts Stephen Bowen and Georgia Tech grad Shane Kimbrough carried out one last spacewalk, officially completing an unprecedented clean and lube job on a jammed solar-wing rotary joint. The extra day in space for Endeavour now means the two crews will celebrate Thanksgiving together and not part company until Friday. Endeavour’s touchdown is now scheduled for Sunday.

Rossville man, 13 others win pardon

President George W. Bush has granted pardons to 14 people and commuted the prison sentences of two others convicted of misdeeds ranging from drug offenses to tax evasion, from wildlife violations to bank embezzlement. The new round of White House pardons, the first since March, included Obie Gene Helton of Rossville, Ga., whose offense was unauthorized acquisition of food stamps.

Church shooting claims 2nd life

A second victim of a weekend shooting at St. Thomas Syrian Orthodox Knanaya Church in Clifton, N.J., died Monday, leaving the only survivor in extremely critical condition, authorities said. The estranged wife of the alleged gunman also died in the attack. The search for the suspect, Joseph Pallipurath, 27, of Sacramento, Calif., focused on Georgia, where he has relatives, Passaic County Prosecutor James Avigliano said.

Epilepsy drugs may hurt Asians

Treatment with certain epilepsy drugs may expose some Asian patients to serious skin reactions, federal health officials warned Monday. The Food and Drug Administration said it is investigating whether medications like Dilantin, Phenytek and Cerebyx can lead to severe skin blisters and bleeding for some Asian patients. Patients who test positive for a gene known as HLA-B.1502 appear to be at increased risk of developing the skin problems, the FDA said, urging doctors to monitor patients closely. But it said there is not enough information yet to recommend genetic testing.