New York's public transit was shut down ahead of tropical storm Irene. That may have saved trains and buses from damage, but flooding and downed trees mean the whole system has to be inspected.

Anti-Qaddafi militias have almost retaken Bin Jawad, the last major town east of Sirte, Muammar Qaddafi's hometown and last major stronghold. They insist they've learned from past mistakes.

With tropical storm Irene past New York, Mayor Michael Bloomberg lifted his evacuation order. But with public transit still shut down, there's likely to be a tough commute on Monday.

AP - Stripped of hurricane rank, Tropical Storm Irene spent the last of its fury Sunday, leaving treacherous flooding and millions without power — but an unfazed New York and relief that it was nothing like the nightmare authorities feared.

AP - With Irene gone, cleanup crews began pumping water out of soggy subway tunnels, fixing traffic lights in the nation's capital and clearing debris from hundreds of roads as the East Coast readied for the workweek. While early indications were that the damage was not as bad as feared, it will be days before things get back to normal in many places.