This afternoon,  the CIA said it has snagged another high-level al Qaeda operative even as House lawmakers were passing a revised surveillance bill that aims to curb controversial eavesdropping tactics. Meantime, Michigan democrats have moved a step closer to a do-over primary. Here's your afternoon buzz:

Top Stories
Top Bin Laden associate in custody
The U.S. military has put a close associate of Osama bin Laden in prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the Pentagon said Friday.

House challenges Bush on surveillance
The House of Representatives voted Friday to back the Democratic-sponsored revisions to federal surveillance laws.

Bernanke outlines mortgage plan help
Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke outlined the central bank's proposal Friday to stem the subprime meltdown.

Fed takes rare path to aid Bear Stearns
The Federal Reserve invoked a rarely used Depression-era procedure Friday to bolster troubled Bear Stearns Cos. and said it will provide even more help to combat a serious credit crisis.

Raw Politics
Michigan Dems agree to a do-over
Michigan Democrats agreed Friday to push for a do-over primary in early...

Democratic rivals agree to play nicer
Advisers to Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama shed some light Friday on the private chat the two candidates had Thursday on the Senate floor.

Documents: Bush asked for weaker smog standards
The Environmental Protection Agency agreed to weaken an important part of its new smog requirements after being told at the last minute that President Bush preferred...

360 follow
Sugar refinery blast claims 13th victim
Another burn patient has died of injuries suffered in an explosion and fire at a sugar refinery, bringing the death toll to 13.

Crime & Punishment
 'King of Torts' pleads guilty in judge-bribing case
Richard "Dickie" Scruggs, the legendary trial lawyer who made Big Business tremble every time he set foot in court, pleaded guilty Friday to conspiring to bribe a judge - a crime that will almost surely send him to prison and perhaps spell the end of his storied legal career.

Doctors cleared in actor Ritter's death 
A jury cleared a cardiologist and a radiologist Friday of negligence in the diagnosis and treatment of actor John Ritter.

Man in ricin case wakes up
A man who may have been exposed to ricin in his motel room a month ago has regained consciousness and was being questioned by investigators...

What YOU will be TALKING about TONIGHT
$12,000 engagement ring flies away in helium balloon
It is the one moment every man wants to get right - and which London floor-fitter Lefkos Hajji could hardly have got more wrong.

Ashley Dupre cashing in with downloads of her songs
Eliot Spitzer's high-priced hooker already has banked a bundle - as much as...

83-year-old great-grandmother foils purse snatcher
Great-grandmother 1, would-be robber 0. How did Bernie Garcia fight off her attacker?