By CAMPBELL ROBERTSON and KIM SEVERSON 45 minutes ago

Gov. Robert Bentley of Alabama said that at least 204 people had died in his state, bringing the number of people killed to at least 291 across six states.

Predicting Tornadoes: It’s Still Guessing Game

By KIRK JOHNSON

Tornado records have been shattered and scientists can only guess when and where tornadoes will actually strike.

Twisters That Spread Devastation Fast and Wide

By ROBBIE BROWN and KATHARINE Q. SEELYE

Usually tornadoes strike a single town. In Alabama, twisters ravaged the entire northern half of the state.

Town’s Survivors Emerge to Face the Worst

In Shift, Egypt Warms to Iran and Hamas, Israel’s Foes

By DAVID D. KIRKPATRICK

Egypt is planning to open the blockaded border with Gaza and normalizing relations with two of Israel and the West’s Islamist foes.

Move to C.I.A. Puts Petraeus in Conflict With Pakistan

By JANE PERLEZ and ERIC SCHMITT

Gen. David H. Petraeus, center, during the White House announcement that he was being named C.I.A. director. The move will give him direct control over drone attacks in Pakistan.

Pakistani and American officials agreed that Gen. David H. Petraeus’s selection as C.I.A. director could further inflame relations.

CBS Reporter Recounts a ‘Merciless’ Assault

By BRIAN STELTER

Lara Logan, a CBS News reporter, was sexually assaulted while working in Cairo on Feb. 11.

Lara Logan is expected to speak on “60 Minutes” Sunday about being sexually assaulted by a mob in Cairo.

On the Blogs

Thousands Mob London for Royal Wedding

By RAVI SOMAIYA 3 minutes ago

Crowds of hundreds of thousands are expected, along with 8,500 journalists and support personnel, all under the watchful eyes of 5,000 police officers.

Florida’s Congressman West Gaining Star Power

By JENNIFER STEINHAUER

Representative Allen B. West, a freshman and a leading fund-raiser, met with constituents this week in Fort Lauderdale.

An African-American Tea Party-activist Republican is becoming a leading spokesman for the right.

High & Low Finance

For the Fed, a Narrowing of Options

By FLOYD NORRIS

Hopefully, Ben Bernanke will be right that the first-quarter stumble is “transitory.” But the Fed and the government could be caught in a bind if he isn’t.

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Quarterbacks Go Fast in Draft

By GREG BISHOP

The N.F.L.'s draft night included Commissioner Roger Goodell with a stage full of potential draftees at Radio City Music Hall. The draft will run three days.

Cam Newton, the Auburn quarterback with uncertainties of his own, was drafted first over all by the Carolina Panthers amid the league’s labor strife.

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Op-Ed: The Monarchy Earns Its Keep

The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton might signal the dawning of a more populist monarchy.

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Even with the economic crisis, the apartment inventory most popular with foreigners has not seen a dramatic drop in prices.

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Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara | Review

A Nicer Way to Wallow in the Past

The 2011 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara is still a rough-and-tumble ride, but Jeep has made several refinements to make the experience a bit more pleasant.