Top Stories: Worldwide
The following are the day's top general news stories:
1. Egypt Authorities, Opposition Start Talks on Sidelining President Mubarak 2. Clinton Endorses Egypt Transition Plan Proposed by Vice President Suleiman 3. Emanuel Responds to `Rahm Tax' Critics Trailing as Rivals in Chicago Race 4. Sarah Palin Says Reagan Would View Health-Care Overhaul Law With `Outrage' 5. Defending Champion France Tops Scots, Ireland Wins, in Six Nations Rugby
1. Egypt Authorities, Opposition Start Talks on Sidelining President Mubarak
Egyptian opposition leaders met with Vice President Omar Suleiman to discuss a transition of power ahead of September elections as senior members of President Hosni Mubarak´s ruling party, including his son Gamal, resigned. The opposition Wafd and Tagammu parties met Suleiman today to discuss a proposal for Mubarak to cede authority to his deputy as part of the process, spokesmen from both groups said. Gamal Mubarak´s role as head of the National Democratic Party´s policy committee was taken by Hossam Badrawi, who also replaced Safwat el-Sherif as secretary-general, the state-run Middle East News Agency reported. The U.S. administration, which has called for steps to speed the transition, praised the resignations. "We welcome any step that provides credibility to that process," said Tommy Vietor, a spokesman for the National Security Council in Washington. Thousands of demonstrators occupied Cairo´s central Tahrir Square for a 12th day, defying a nighttime curfew, after what they called the "Day of Departure" for Mubarak yesterday. The entrance to the square today was blocked by troops and barbed wire. Non-Egyptians who aren´t journalists were denied entry.
2. Clinton Endorses Egypt Transition Plan Proposed by Vice President Suleiman
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton endorsed a transition plan proposed by Egypt´s Vice President Omar Suleiman as a way of easing out President Hosni Mubarak without creating a vacuum that might "derail the process." "There are forces at work in any society, and particularly one that is facing these kinds of challenges, that will try to derail the process to pursue their own agenda," Clinton said today in a speech in Munich. "That´s why it´s important to support the transition process announced by the Egyptian government headed by Vice President Suleiman." Suleiman has begun negotiations with opposition leaders on a way of ending Mubarak´s 30-year rule before September elections. The two sides are discussing a plan for Mubarak, who has said he won´t run again, to cede governing authority to Suleiman, according to Amr Hamzawy, an Egyptian political scientist who has been with demonstrators in Cairo, and activists and analysts in contact with others in the opposition. Mubarak appointed Suleiman in a Cabinet reshuffle last week. Mubarak´s son Gamal today resigned from his post as head of the policy committee of the ruling National Democratic Party, the state-run Middle East News Agency reported.
3. Emanuel Responds to `Rahm Tax' Critics Trailing as Rivals in Chicago Race
Rahm Emanuel´s campaign to succeed Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley escaped a legal brush with death last week. Now he´s fighting accusations that a "Rahm tax" on services would hurt residents of the third-largest U.S. city. Gery Chico, a former Daley chief of staff, began airing a TV ad yesterday saying Emanuel´s proposal for a broader sales tax would include car repairs and bowling. Chico is trying to cut into the 23 percentage-point polling lead held by Emanuel, who stepped down as President Barack Obama´s top aide to run for mayor. "This is crazy," Chico says in the ad. "This tax is going to hit families when they don´t have one more ounce to give. They can´t take one more brick on their back." Emanuel, 51, has proposed a "luxury" tax on such things as private club memberships, pet grooming, limousine rides and tanning-parlor sessions that would be accompanied by a 20 percent decrease in the city´s portion of the sales tax -- from 1.25 percent to 1 percent.
4. Sarah Palin Says Reagan Would View Health-Care Overhaul Law With `Outrage'
Sarah Palin, a potential 2012 presidential candidate, said the U.S. is at a "crisis point" as the Obama administration pursues policies that will lead to "decline and defeat." "If President Reagan were alive today" the hills in California "would echo with his outrage" over the enactment of President Barack Obama´s health-care overhaul, she said last night at the Reagan Ranch Center in Santa Barbara, California. The 2008 Republican vice-presidential nominee and former Alaska governor gave the keynote address at a Young America´s Foundation tribute to the centennial of former President Ronald Reagan´s birth on Feb. 6, 1911. Palin, 46, focused on a speech Reagan gave in 1964 on behalf of Republican presidential candidate Barry Goldwater, in which he discussed the dangers of high taxes and government regulations.
5. Defending Champion France Tops Scots, Ireland Wins, in Six Nations Rugby
France opened defense of its Six Nations rugby title with a 34-21 victory over Scotland, as Ireland rallied to defeat Italy 13-11. Maxime Medard, Imanol Harinordoquy and Damien Traille touched down for France, which also had a penalty try, at the Stade de France in Paris. Alastair Kellock, Kelly Brown and Sean Lamont scored tries for Scotland. Ronan O´Gara´s drop goal in the 78th minute gave Ireland the victory at the Stadio Flaminio in Rome. Brian O´Driscoll scored a try for Ireland and Luke McLean touched down for Italy. England beat Wales 26-19 in Cardiff last night to open this year´s tournament. England meets Italy and Scotland hosts Wales in the next round of games on Feb. 12, with France visiting Ireland the following day.
-0- Feb/06/2011 00:35 GMT
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