 | | | | | | | | | | |  |  | | | | |  | |  Did Gaddafi Exaggerate NATO Attack?
The NATO airstrike that killed Col. Gaddafi's youngest son Saturday came nowhere close to killing Gaddafi, says Fadel Lamen's Libyan sources, who also cast doubt on whether grandchildren were killed. In fact, one of Lamen's sources, acquainted with the family's habits, maintained that they almost never get together, especially given the current circumstances, which makes the idea of a NATO strike that somehow hit a nest of Gaddafis (sparing the leader, of course) seem a bit far-fetched. Plus, aviation expert Clive Irving on what the killing reveals about NATO's on-the-ground intelligence—and its view of ending the war in Libya.
Read it at The Daily Beast
|  |  | |  John Paul II Beatified by Pope
Pope Benedict XVI beatified his predecessor Pope John Paul II before a crowd of one million devoted people on Sunday morning as the sun shined brightly on St. Peter's Square. The beatification was the fastest in modern times and brought the late pontiff closer to possible sainthood. Pope Benedict XVI hailed Pope John Paul II for having helped turn the "irreversible" tide of Marxism with his courage and faith which in turn "helped believers throughout the world not to be afraid to be called Christian." The vast crowd roared as a picture of John Paul was unveiled over the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, crying and cheering as a choir began singing a hymn associated with the Polish-born pope. "He went all over the world," said an emotional Bishop from Mali who visited Rome for the holy occasion. "Today, we're coming to him." The beatification was a bright moment for Italy's Catholic Church which has been marred by sex abuse, though it has sparked anger from some who were victims under John Paul II's 27-year reign.
Read it at the Associated Press
| |  | |  Thousands Homeless in Tornado-Struck States
Alabama and the seven other states devastated by tornadoes are turning their attention to rebuilding. The task is huge: One estimate, by the risk model forecaster EQECAT, put the insured property losses between $2 billion and $5 billion. Contractors hoping to get some of the rebuilding work are flocking to Tuscaloosa—so many showed up to a high school gymnasium on Saturday that they couldn't all fit. But it's unclear what course the rebuilding will take. With thousands likely homeless—5,700 structures were damaged or destroyed in Tuscaloosa alone—it's important to get shelters put up as quickly as possible. Tuscaloosa Mayor Walter Maddox warned of a "humanitarian crisis" if a quick fix wasn't forthcoming. On the other hand, he acknowledged that FEMA trailers and prefabricated housing became major post-Katrina controversies after Gulf Coast residents criticized them for contributing to blight. "I don't think any of us would like to see substandard housing built in our areas," Maddox said. "But then, how do you tell someone you're not going to be able to have a home?" And then there's the fact that trailers look especially unappealing to someone traumatized by high winds. "What if another tornado comes?" asked one tornado survivor when the FEMA trailers were mentioned.
Read it at The Los Angeles Times
| |  | |  Obama Mocks Trump and GOP Candidates
President Obama ribbed all the potential GOP presidential contenders, joking that Rep. Michele Bachmann was born in Canada—"Yes, Michele, this is how it starts"—that former Governor Tim Pawlenty's middle name is "Hosni," and that Rep. Paul Ryan couldn't be there because "his budget has no room for laughter." But the one that everyone was paying attention to was Donald Trump, who was seated at Table 98, a guest of The Washington Post. "You, Mr. Trump, recognized that the real problem was a lack of leadership," Obama said. "And so ultimately, you didn't blame Lil Jon or Meat Loaf. You fired Gary Busey. These are the kind of decisions that would keep me up at night. Well handled, sir." Seth Meyers followed Obama, saying "The New York Times [after-party] used to be free, but apparently there's a cover now," so he would be attending the Huffington Post party, which "is asking people to go to other parties first and steal food and drinks." Though the dinner was mostly comedy, Obama ended his speech on a solemn note, by calling attention to the devastation in the South, the unrest in the Middle East, and the sacrifice of the nation's armed forces and journalists. "We've seen daring men and women risk their lives for the simple idea that no one should be silenced, and everyone deserves to know the truth," said Obama.
Read it at The Washington Post
| |  | |  Regime Shells Deraa
Syrian President Bashar Assad's brutal crackdown on protesters continued Sunday with the shelling of Deraa's Roman quarter. Deraa, where protests began six weeks ago after a group of teens was arrested for drawing graffiti, has been without water, fuel, or electricity since Monday, when the regime sent troops backed by armor and snipers into the city. A witness said men were forbidden from leaving their homes but women were permitted to leave the house in search of bread. The shelling comes a day after four people were killed when troops raided a mosque that had been a focal point of protests. At least 65 people were killed Friday, most of them in Deraa.
Read it at The Guardian
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