NPR 2011-04-30

President Obama says he has never seen devastation 1 like he did today in Alabama. The state was among several struck hardest by a storm system that spawned 2 dozens of tornadoes 3. NPR's Scott Horsley reports Mr. Obama went to Tuscaloosa to see the wreckage 4 up close and to meet survivors 5 who've lost virtually everything.

After touring Tuscaloosa's Alberta neighborhood, Mr. Obama said he was struck by the power of the storm to do so much damage in just a few minutes. He was also impressed by the way the community has rallied for what is sure to be a long rebuilding effort.

"No matter how hard we may be tested, we maintain our faith, and we look to each other to make sure that we're supporting each other and helping 6 each other. I'm sure that that spirit is going to continue until this city is all the way back."

The president promised the federal government will do everything it can to help Tuscaloosa and other storm-damaged communities throughout the South. Scott Horsley, NPR News.

The storms killed more than 300 people across the South. The majority of the victims were in Alabama.

Well, President Obama later paid a visit to Florida's Kennedy Space Center, even though today's historical launch was scrubbed. NPR's Nell Greenfieldboyce reports shuttle Endeavour could not embark 7 on its final space flight because of a technical glitch 8.

Space shuttle Endeavour was scheduled to take off on its final mission before being retired 9. Its last flight will be to the space station to deliver a two-bilion-dollar physics experiment designed to look for antimatter and dark matter, but during the countdown to launch, NASA workers found that two heaters associated with a power unit had failed. Officials said that they need time to troubleshoot the problem. The delay will last at least until Monday, possibly longer. Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR News.

Britain is celebrating its royal newlyweds. Prince William and Kate Middleton tie the knot today. NPR's Philip Reeves says the ceremony took place on a cool day in London without flaw.

The British monarchy 10 has been through a difficult period in the last few decades. It's been battered 11 by divorces, scandals and above all the death of Princess Diana. Today, this old institution announced it was back with a fanfare 12. The wedding in London's Westminster Abbey makes history in tradition with a strikingly intimate touch. With Prince William gazing into her eyes, Kate Middleton took her vows 13.

"I, Catherine Elizabeth."

"I, Catherine Elizabeth."

"Take thee, William..."

They follow the ride to Buckingham Palace in a horse-drawn carriage, and two kisses on the balcony. A huge crowd, some of them arrived days ago, surged forward and roared with delight. Today's ending with a party thrown by Prince Charles, William's father, the family and close friends. Philip Reeves, NPR News, London.

This is NPR.

Libyan civil war is spilling over its borders. Government forces are battling with Tunisian troops in the frontier town of Dehiba. Tunisia has summoned Libya's ambassador to protest. Forces loyal to Colonel Mummuar Gaddafi were chasing rebels who fled into Tunisia in recent days after troops overran a border post. Tunisian security forces are on the hunt for hundreds of inmates 14 who escaped from two prisons today. Local authorities say the inmates escaped after fires were set in their cells. This further complicates 15 Tunisia's efforts to bring stability to that country in the aftermath of an uprising that forced out President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

People in the US are making more money, and based on the government's numbers from last month, they're spending more too, but the Commerce Department says much of the extra cash went toward pricier gas. More from Danielle Karson.

With job prospects 16 improving and bigger paychecks, Americans have more of an appetite to spend, and that's key for a strong recovery because spending accounts for most of the country's economic output. Analysts 17 expected consumer spending to get a nice jolt 18 from the 2% cut in social security taxes, but they say much of that windfall is getting eaten up by higher gas and food prices, and with higher energy costs sapping household budgets, the government downgraded its estimate for economic growth to below 2% in the first quarter. The economy needs to grow at a 3% clip just to keep the jobless rate from climbing. For NPR News, I'm Danielle Karson in Washington.

Before the close on Wall Street, the Dow was up 47 points at 12,810. NASDAQ was up slightly at 2,874. S&P 500 up three at 1,364.