US & World News, Thursday 5/15

US/World Summary --- McCain Makes Iraq War Estimate Republican presidential candidate John McCain has offered his view that the Iraq war can be "won" within four years, leaving a functioning democracy and allowing most U.S. troops to come home. Democratic rivals Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, are running on a pledge to begin bringing U.S. troops home right away and have linked McCains policies on the unpopular war to those of President Bush. McCain argues that both are promising a "reckless" pullout from Iraq, that he says they wouldnt be able to keep once they face the realities. --- John Edwards Endorses Barack Obama (Grand Rapids, MI) -- Former presidential candidate John Edwards is now in the Barack Obama camp. Edwards has provided Obama a key endorsement. Addressing an Obama rally in Grand Rapids, Michigan yesterday, Edwards declared, quote, "Democratic voters in America have made their choice and so have I." Edwards spoke of ending the war in Iraq, ending poverty and other economic issues and declared, quote, "there is one man who knows in his heart that it is time to create one America, not two." --- Florida Firefighers Appear To Gain Upper Hand (Palm Bay, FL) -- Fast-moving brush fires in Florida have kept firefighters busy, but they may be getting the upper hand. Todd Schroder with Floridas Division of Forestry says the thick, dark smoke that hovered over the communities of Cocoa, Palm Bay and Malabar appears to be dissipating. The fires have consumed ten-thousand acres. Schroder says to really beat back the fires, crews need the winds to die down and humidity levels to rise. The forecast calls for a slight chance of showers this weekend. --- California Supreme Court To Issue Same-Sex Marriage Ruling (San Francisco, CA) -- The same-sex marriage issue will keep the attention of proponents and opponents focused on the California Supreme Court today. The court is scheduled to issue its opinion on a case involving same-sex marriage. The decision will focus on the question of whether the states ban on same-sex marriage violates the state constitution. Opponents of the issue are collecting signatures to put a constitutional amendment on the states November ballot that would ban gay marriage if the court decides to allow it. --- Bill Allows Academic Bible Study In Tennessee Public Schools (Memphis, TN) -- The Tennessee House has passed a bill that would allow the state Department of Education to develop a curriculum for the academic study of the Bible in public schools. The proposal would require school districts to teach the course with an approved textbook in a manner consistent with the state and federal constitutions. The legislation prohibits the use of any religious test or association when assigning teachers for Bible courses. A companion bill unanimously passed the Senate last week. --- Suspect And Mother Arrested Following Police Chase (Pompano Beach, FL) -- A routine traffic stop in South Florida became a family affair with both a man and his mother taken into custody in Pompano Beach. It started last night when Broward Sheriffs deputies attempted to pull the man over. Instead, he fled the scene and called his mother when he got stuck in traffic. Minutes later, investigators say the mans mother showed up and struck two deputies with her car, sending both to the hospital with minor injuries. A number of charges are pending against the man and his mother. --- Malawi Court Delays Madonna Adoption Ruling Pop star Madonna will continue to wait for a final ruling on whether she can adopt a two-year-old Malawian boy. Malawis High Court has delayed its ruling until next week. Madonnas lawyer says the judge decided to reserve his ruling on the case because he has to review the recommendations from the Malawi Human Rights Commission on the adoption laws of Malawi. The Human Rights Commission is set up by the government. Its position on the adoption has not been made public. An exact date for next weeks ruling was not announced. (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-05-15-08 0739CDT