Lawmakers predict change in war policy
Republican and Democratic congressional leaders both forecast a change in President Bush’s Iraq war policy as the president prepared to sign legislation Friday providing funds for military operations through Sept. 30. “I think the president’s policy is going to begin to unravel now,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Firefighter accused of setting blazes
An 18-year-old volunteer firefighter was arrested on charges of setting seven rural fires that burned 13 acres and an abandoned trailer home in northern Florida, officials said Friday. Chad Michael Burchfield was arrested Thursday on six counts of reckless burning of lands and one count of arson to a structure.
Witnesses: Boy killed dad to save mom
A 10-year-old boy who may have been trying to protect his mother during a domestic dispute Friday allegedly stabbed and killed his father with a kitchen knife. Officers were called to an apartment complex in St. Paul, Minn., and found the body, police said. According to witnesses, the boy was tried to defend his mother from his father, who was threatening his family with a pipe.
Coca-Cola buys Glaceaufor $4.1 billion
Coca-Cola is betting big that Glaceau will help it expand its water and energy drink offerings and jump-start North American sales. On Friday, the world’s largest beverage maker said it would buy the privately held maker of Vitaminwater for $4.1 billion in cash. The price-tag is nearly twice what Glaceau’s estimated value was less than a year ago and represents Coke’s largest acquisition ever.
AND FINALLY
Elusive gator nabbed in L.A.
For months, L.A.’s most famous reptile eluded paparazzi and fans who gathered at the edge of a lake to catch a glimpse of the A-list alligator. But when “Reggie” decided to come out, the gator did it in style: Swarmed by fans and photographers as it sunned by the water, the reptile was whisked away with a police escort. The wily beast became a celebrity as it eluded would-be wranglers for 18 months.
