MONDAY’S MINI-REPORT…. Today’s edition of quick hits:
* Libya: “After a second night of American and European strikes by air and sea against Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi’s forces, European nations on Monday rejected Libyan claims that civilians had been killed while struggling to present a united diplomatic front. On the ground in Libya, pro-Qaddafi forces were reported to be holding out against the allied campaign to break their grip. Pentagon officials said there were fewer American and coalition airstrikes in Libya Sunday night and Monday, and that the number was likely to decline further in coming days.”
* Japan: “Efforts to stabilize the crippled nuclear power plant in Fukushima stalled on Monday when engineers found that crucial machinery at one reactor required repair, a process that will take two to three days, government officials said. A team of workers trying to repair another reactor, No. 3, was evacuated in the afternoon after gray smoke rose from it, said Tetsuro Fukuyama, the deputy chief cabinet secretary of the Japanese government. But no explosion was heard and the emission ended by 6 p.m., NHK, the national broadcaster, said.”
* They’re going to have quite a story to tell: “The Libyan government released four New York Times journalists on Monday, six days after they were captured while covering the conflict between government and rebel forces in the eastern city of Ajdabiya. They were released into the custody of Turkish diplomats and crossed safely into Tunisia in the late afternoon.”
* In the nation’s first-ever referendum, Egyptians approved constitutional changes that will bring national elections soon.
* House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was briefly hospitalized in Rome today, but has been released and is reportedly doing fine.
* A big court win for the ACLU: “Civil liberties advocates opposed to the government’s expanded wiretapping powers can continue their fight after an appellate court on Monday reinstated a lawsuit challenging an eavesdropping law passed by Congress three years ago. The decision could put the Obama administration in the uncomfortable position of having to argue in support of broad executive authority to conduct surveillance operations — a position that President Obama, as a presidential candidate, had once opposed.”
* The cost of Operation Odyssey Dawn? The first day carried a price tag of well over $100 million in missiles alone.
* Former Secretary of State Warren Christopher, a legendary diplomat, died over the weekend. He was 85.
* This guy really isn’t all there: “Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) called for a showdown with “Senate liberals” Monday, saying the GOP must not retreat from its plan to slash $61 billion even if it means funding the government just one day at a time.”
* Bill Kristol believes the U.S. has never “invaded” a Muslim country, because he has a new spin on the definition of “invade.”
* While Georgia has gutted its successful HOPE scholarship program, state Republicans have suddenly discovered “a great deal of state money available for private colleges in Georgia.”
* At one moment, Glenn Beck was outraged that President Obama hasn’t done more in Libya. Literally 20 seconds later, Beck was outraged that President Obama has done too much in Libya
* And finally, Jonathan Rowe, a former editor and contributing editor here at the Washington Monthly, died unexpectedly yesterday. Our best wishes go out to his family and friends.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
