Cat alerts couple to house fire
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul’s neighbour pleaded guilty Friday to a federal charge for tackling the lawmaker in an attack his attorney says was triggered by a dispute over lawn maintenance.
Rene Boucher entered the guilty plea in federal court in Bowling Green, Kentucky, to a charge of assaulting a member of Congress. Paul suffered broken ribs in the attack last year.
“He is looking forward to closure on all of this once and for all,” said Boucher’s attorney, Matt Baker. “He still feels as though he has the weight of the world on his shoulders.”
A judge set a June 15 sentencing date for the retired anesthetist in his late 50s. Federal prosecutors have signalled they will seek a 21-month prison sentence. Baker said he will ask for probation.The charge carries up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Boucher also agreed to pay restitution to Paul, according to media reports.The amount will be determined at sentencing.
MCKEESPORT, Pa. — Fire officials in Pennsylvania are crediting a cat with saving the lives of its owners, who were sound asleep when a fire broke out in their home.
The blaze at 1 a.m. Friday apparently started in the attic of the home in McKeesport, about 19 kilometres south of Pittsburgh.
Deputy Fire Chief Tom Perciavalle tells WTAE-TV there were no smoke alarms in the house, but the cat made sure to wake up the couple.
He says “fortunately the cat was on top of his game” and it potentially saved their lives.
WASHINGTON — The White House tried to swat away criticism Friday that the U.S. is getting nothing in exchange for agreeing to a summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said North Korea has made promises to denuclearize, stop its nuclear and missile testing and allow joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises.
“Let’s not forget that the North Koreans did promise something,” Sanders said, responding to a reporter’s question about why Trump agreed to a summit without preconditions.
She added: “We are not going to have this meeting take place until we see concrete actions that match the words and the rhetoric of North Korea.”
North Korea’s government has yet to formally comment on its invitation that was relayed to Trump by South Korean officials who met with Kim in Pyongyang this week.