NPR 2011-10-21

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"Today, we can definitely say that the Gaddafi regime has come to an end. The last major regime strongholds have fallen. The new government is consolidating³ the control over the country. And one of the world's longest-serving dictators is no more."

 

Libya's interim⁴ leadership says Gaddafi, who ruled for more than 40 years, died from injuries he sustained as his hometown Sirte was overrun by revolutionary forces. The Associated Press cites interim government officials saying that one of Gaddafi's sons, Moatassem, has also been killed, and they say they’ve captured another son, one-time heir apparent Saif al-Islam, who's been wounded. This was the moment so many Libyans, including Nasir, who spoke⁵ to the BBC, had been waiting for.

 

"I just got back call from the Green Square, from the town of, downtown Tripoli to change my clothes, to wear my shirt with the new flag on it and my cap and get my children with me and to go down there to celebrate of the new victory."

 

Libyan flags and banners are seen waving above large crowds energized⁶ by news that Gaddafi was no longer a threat. Gaddafi's downfall comes more than seven months after the people rose up against the regime that had been in power for decades. As in Egypt and other parts of the region, Libya's uprising was inspired by that of Tunisia. That's where the BBC's Pascale Harter says people have converged⁷ outside the Libyan embassy to celebrate [of] the new victory.

 

The situation here is one of abject⁸ joys as about between 500 and 1,000 people gathered outside the embassy waving Libyan flags, as also Tunisians here waving their revolutionary flags, coming to turn out and chant with the Libyans in solidarity⁹.

 

That's the BBC's Pascale Harter in Tunis.

 

In the US, fewer existing homes are selling. A trade group says sales were down 3% last months. As NPR's Giles Snyder reports, they remain below the level. Economists¹⁰ say it's consistent with a healthy market.

 

Economists would rather see a number more than neighborhood of six million. But the National Association of Realtors says sales of existing homes dropped last month to a seasonally¹¹ adjusted rate of just over 4.9 million. The housing market has been troubled by a glut¹² of unsold homes and foreclosures which are driving prices down. Even historically low mortgage rates don't appear to be enough to entice¹³ buyers. The group says home sales are being hurt by a big decline in first-time buyers. They're important because they allow sellers of more moderately priced homes to move up to more expensive ones. Giles Snyder, NPR News, Washington.

 

The Greek parliament is backing new austerity measures. They approved the bill a short time ago despite protests raging in central Athens.

 

And US stocks are up, Dow gaining 56 points; it's at 11,560. 

 

This is NPR.

 

Indonesian authorities have brought a suspected Indonesian terrorist back to the site of the 2002 Bali bombings to reconstruct his alleged¹⁵ role in making the bombs that killed more than 200 people. NPR's Anthony Kuhn reports from Jakarta that the suspect was extradited from Pakistan in August.

 

Police spokesman General Anton Bachrul Alam said that police took Umar Patek to four sites on the resort island of Bali to reenact his activities there. The attackers detonated two bombs at popular nightclubs and a third near the American consulate¹⁶. Patek recently told the Jakarta Globe newspaper that he only advised the bombers¹⁷, and that he unsuccessfully tried to talk them out of it. Pakistani authorities arrested Patek on January 25th in Abbottabad, the same town where US soldiers killed Osama bin¹⁴ Laden¹⁸ in May. General Alam said it was not yet clear whether or not Umar Patek met with bin Laden there. Anthony Kuhn, NPR News, Jakarta.

 

The Basque separatist group ETA says it is ending its more than four-decade-long armed campaign. It issued a statement today telling a Basque daily publication that it wants open dialog with Spain and France. ETA declared a permanent ceasefire back in January. However, until now it had not announced intentions to end its armed campaign.

 

We're seeing US stocks mixed at the moment, the Dow up 56 points or more than 0.5% at 11,560; NASDAQ off three points at 2,601; S&P 500 up seven at 1,216.

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