Cheat Sheet - The NRA's Last Stand

Today: At Least 160 Injured in TX Plant Blast , The Taliban: We Didn't Do It , Ricin Suspect Details Body-Parts Conspiracy April 18, 2013 GUN-CONTROL DEFEAT 1. A Shameful Day in the Senate When the Senate shut down legislation that would have tightened background checks on gun purchases, the NRA won a clear victory. But Michael Tomasky is confident that, years from now, we'll look back on yesterday as the moment when the gun lobby overreached—and laid the groundwork for its own undoing. Read it at The Daily Beast DEADLY 2. At Least 160 Injured in TX Plant Blast A massive explosion at a fertilizer plant near Waco, Texas, sent dozens of people to the hospital Wednesday night and leveled buildings for blocks in every direction. Officials say more than 160 people were injured and at least 5 were killed in the blast, which erupted around 8 p.m. and was triggered by a fire at the plant. Rescuers conducted door-to-door searches early Thursday, looking for both the living and the dead in the surrounding areas. Police said that flames still smoldering in the leveled plant could set off further explosions as well as the emission of hazardous gases into the town, roughly half of which was evacuated overnight. A spokesman for the Texas Public Department of Safety said the damage was comparable to the 1995 bombing in Oklahoma City. Read it at The Daily Beast NO LINK 3. The Taliban: We Didn't Do It The Afghan insurgents have been warning al Qaeda against attacking the West and now fear the Boston bombings will hurt their cause. Sami Yousafzai and Ron Moreau exclusively talk to the group's leaders. Read it at The Daily Beast WEIRD NEW DETAILS 4. Ricin Suspect Details Body-Parts Conspiracy A Mississippi man accused of mailing ricin-positive letters to the president—and other national leaders—has not admitted to sending them, though his bizarre hobbies shed light on what was written in them. Paul Curtis, 45, told authorities about his alleged discovery of a conspiracy to sell human body parts on the black market and about his part-time job as an Elvis Presley impersonator. Authorities are still awaiting definitive tests on the letters addressed to President Obama and Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), which were received after the Boston Marathon bombings and said, "To see a wrong and not expose it, is to become a silent partner to its continuance." Read it at Associated Press HIT THE ROAD, PERVEZ 5. Musharraf Flees Pakistani Court Who says you can't go home? Islamabad. Less than a month after returning to his native Pakistan—after five years of exile—former president Pervez Musharraf was seen fleeing court in Islamabad after his bail request was denied. The decision foils the former leader's plans to contest at least three criminal charges against him—including accusations that he illegally confined more than 60 judges. The former leader of Pakistan fled to London and Dubai after a forced resignation in 2008. Read it at BBC 'YOU DESERVE IT' Woman on Trial in Severed-Penis Case Victim: "She murdered me that night." MEMORIAL Obama Heads to Boston As hunt for bombing suspect continues. READ THIS Giffords Writes Scathing Gun Op-Ed 'Furious' at background check vote. LET THERE BE LIFE U.S. Infant Mortality Rate Drops Down 12 percent since 2005. STARZ Hathaway Not Most Hated Celeb Gwyneth, sadly, has taken her place. GET The Cheat Sheet A speedy, smart summary of news and must-reads from across the Web. You'll love the featured original stories on politics, entertainment, and more from The Daily Beast's diverse group of contributors. GET Culture Beast Weekly cultural recommendations from The Daily Beast. Unbelievable Texas Plant Explosion In a YouTube video widely circulated on social media Wednesday night, one man films a fertilizer plant ablaze in Texas. Then, the plant explodes. More Videos Bin Laden Hunter on Boston by Lloyd Grove So the Media Screwed Up by Michael Moynihan Ryan Lochte Tells All by Anna Klassen

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