US/ OBAMA TOURS JOPLIN AS TOLL RISES AGAIN: President Barack Obama has described last week's devastating tornado in the city of Joplin, Missouri, where 142 people are now known to have died, as a "national tragedy". Visiting the city today, Obama said the disaster required a national response. He is taking part in a memorial service and will observe a minute of silence at 5:41pm, local time, exactly 1 week after the tornado struck. Obama's motorcade, pictured above, drove through the hardest-hit areas with Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, stopping to talk to residents.The tornado was one of the most destructive in US history. With winds of 200mph, the EF5 tornado carved a swathe of destruction through the city, injuring more than 900 people. At least 44 people remain unaccounted for as of this afternoon.
US SPORTS/ WHELDON WINS INDY 500: Dan Wheldon won his 2nd Indianapolis 500 today in a wild finish in which California rookie J.R. Hildebrand had the victory in his grasp but crashed on the final turn. Hildebrand, conserving fuel when others were forced to pit, passed defending winner Dario Franchitti with only a few laps remaining and was leading Wheldon when the white flag came out to signal the final lap at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. But as the 23 year old Hildebrand entered Turn 4, he slammed into the wall. He kept his car moving forward but not fast enough to prevent Wheldon from passing him, pictured above, to reach the checkered flag 1st. "I just kept pushing," Wheldon told a television audience after he took a gulp from the celebratory bottle of milk in Victory Lane. Choking back tears, he said, "I never gave up. It's just an incredible day." Hildebrand settled for 2nd, Graham Rahal was 3rd and Tony Kanaan 4th. Wheldon, a British driver, also won the Indy 500 in 2005.
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