Rise and shine, NewsFeeders. Sure, we expect you were up past your bedtime watching Obama’s news conference, but let’s gear up for a productive week. And while bin Laden’s death is certainly the topic that will drive headlines this week, here’s the other news you missed this weekend.
Obama Gets Osama
Late Sunday night, Obama announced a spontaneous news conference on an undisclosed topic related to national security. Rumors ran rampant as we awaited his appearance on TV, with all news outlets eventually determining the breaking news to be Osama bin Laden’s death. Every news organization on Earth (and if any exist elsewhere, we predict they too) will be covering the death of the Taliban mastermind today. Stay clicking on TIME.com all day for the latest updates.
Soon-To-Be Saint
Before a crowd of more than 1.5 million, Pope John Paul II was beatified Sunday morning by current Pope Benedict XVI. This puts the former pope on the fast track to sainthood and means he is now referred to as “Blessed.” His beatification comes after a miracle was attributed to him: a French nun says he cured her Parkinson’s disease. A gigantic image of John Paul was unveiled at St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City in his honor. (via AP)
NATO Bruises Gaddafi
An air strike by allied forces took out an alleged “command center” in Tripoli where Gaddafi was reportedly staying. The attack killed Col. Gaddafi’s 29-year-old son Saif al-Arab and three of his grandchildren while leaving a massive crater in the home. Reports are still forthcoming but NATO drew criticism for the strike after Libya claimed there was no purported military operations center hosted in the home, making the strike against protocol. And given the low-profile kept by Saif al-Arab, it’s difficult to verify his death. (via Al Jazeera)
Endeavor Kept On Ice
The long-awaited shuttle launch was scrubbed Friday due to a faulty heater system, despite the presence of a special guest anxiously awaiting the launch: Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. The launch was postponed to Sunday, but when that too was scrubbed, Giffords departed Cape Canaveral back to her rehabilitation center in Houston. According to NASA, the launch will not happen before next Sunday, May 8, and will fluctuate based on the needed repairs. (via New York Daily News)
In Case You Missed It On NewsFeed
Trumped-Up Laughs: White House Correspondents’ Dinner Roasts The Donald
Just the evening before Obama’s serious announcement about bin Laden, he was cracking jokes and ripping on Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington. Relive the humor and read our favorite funnies on NewsFeed.