News roundup
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Flooding from rivers and inland streams swallowed up homes and turned neighborhoods into swamps, and widespread power failures were expected to last through the weekend, if not longer. Clean running water was unavailable in some parts of New Jersey.
Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey visited his state’s northern suburbs, where the swollen Passaic River had caused extensive flooding and damage. The river crested on Tuesday at 14.2 feet, its second-highest level on record. More at the NYT.
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At 5:00 a.m. ET, Katia was located about 985 miles west of the southern Cape Verde Islands, with maximum sustained winds of 65 miles per hour, and was moving west-northwest at 21 miles per hour.
The storm's name replaces Katrina in the rotating storm roster because of the catastrophic damage from the 2005 storm that devastated New Orleans. More at MSNBC.
--> World news: Libyan rebels expressed fresh optimism that Moammar Gadhafi's reign is about to crumble as a deadline looms for Gadhafi loyalists to disarm or face assault.
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But Gadhafi's whereabouts are still unconfirmed, 11 days after opposition forces stormed the capital and later captured his Tripoli compound.
Rebels now have their sights set on the remaining bastions in Libya under Gadhafi's control, including his hometown of Sirte.
The rebel government issued an ultimatum yesterday for tribal leaders in towns under the control of loyalists: Surrender or face attack on Saturday, after Eid al-Fitr festivities end. More at CNN.
--> In related news: Tripoli Zoo animals lacking food and water
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