News roundup

--> Environmental news: As many people in the path of Tropical Storm Irene struggled to recover, floodwaters continued to rise on Tuesday in New Jersey and Connecticut, forcing thousands of evacuations, even two days after the storm swept through the region.

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.

--> In related weather news: Tropical Storm Katia is gaining strength as it moved quickly across the Atlantic today and could become a hurricane later in the day.

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.

"I think this thug, this killer knows that he has nowhere to go," said Ali Tarhouni, finance and oil minister for the opposition's National Transitional Council.

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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