Egypt’s Mubarak keeps post, stuns protesters demanding his ouster keeps post, hands over powers to VP
CAIRO (AP) — Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak refused to step down or leave the country and instead handed his powers to his vice president Thursday, remaining president and ensuring regime control over the reform process.
Stunned protesters in central Cairo who demand his ouster waved their shoes in contempt and shouted, “Leave, leave, leave.”
The rapidly moving events raised the question of whether a rift had opened between Mubarak and the military command. Earlier, the military announced it had stepped in to secure the country, and a top general announced to protesters in Tahrir Square that all their demands would soon be met, raising cries of victory that Mubarak was on his way out.
Several hundred thousand protesters packed into Tahrir Square, ecstatic with expectation that Mubarak would announce his resignation in his nighttime address.
Instead, they watched in shocked silence as he spoke, slapping their foreheads in anger and disbelief.
Some broke into tears. After he finished, they broke out into chants for him to go.
Around 1,000 marched on the state television building several blocks away.
Some in the opposition were calling on the military to intervene.
Immediately after Mubarak’s speech, Vice President Omar Suleiman called on the protesters to “go home” and asked Egyptians to “unite and look to the future.”
 
Centuries-old art and archives make up Rome Caravaggio exhibit in Rome
ROME (AP) — Art lovers will get rare glimpses of Caravaggio’s often violent life in an exhibit opening Friday in Rome and combining centuries-old documents from archives as well as paintings, including a portrait last seen in public 100 years ago.
Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza, a church with a courtyard designed by Baroque artist Borromini and later home to Italy’s state archives, hosts the show until May 15.
 
NY firefighters save injured worker in Long Island Railroad tunnel
NEW YORK (AP) — Specially trained New York City firefighters have rescued an injured worker trapped deep underground in a tunnel being constructed for the nation’s largest commuter railroad.
Fire Department of New York Lt. Peter Blaich says firefighters climbed down 50 feet and hoisted the worker from the Long Island Rail Road tunnel using a metal basket.
The worker was removing debris with a giant payloader 150 feet below street level Thursday. His machine collided with another. He fell and hurt his right arm and shoulder.
 
Closing arguments completed in border group leader Forde’s trial
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Attorneys have finished closing arguments in the murder case against an anti-illegal immigrant group leader accused of gunning down a 9-year-old girl and her father in what prosecutors say was an attempt to steal drug money to fund border operations.
Shawna Forde is accused in the May 2009 killings of 29-year-old Raul Flores and his 9-year-old daughter at their home in Arivaca, a desert community about 50 miles southwest of Tucson.
She pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and other charges. If the jury convicts her, prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty.
 
Gov. Jindal headed to Washington, D.C. annual Mardi Gras celebration
Gov. Bobby Jindal is heading to the nation’s capital for the annual Washington Mardi Gras celebration, which includes attending parties, rubbing elbows with members of Congress and lobbyists and collecting another round of campaign cash.
The Governor’s Office announced the trip Thursday, saying Jindal was traveling to Washington, D.C., that day and will return to Baton Rouge on Sunday.
While in Washington, the governor’s spokesman says Jindal will attend two fundraisers for his fall re-election bid. Jindal has no announced challengers.
The governor has traveled extensively over recent months to promote his new book, raise money for his campaign and help other candidates and the GOP.
 
Freezing blast filoods homeless shelters amd threatens crops
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Homeless shelters filled and farmers worried about filling the Valentine’s Day demand for chocolate-dipped strawberries as an arctic blast of cold air covered Louisiana.
Much of the state was under a hard freeze warning Thursday. But it will probably be the winter’s last really cold spell in Louisiana —arctic air doesn’t usually get this far south this late, National Weather Service meteorologist said. Gavin Phillips said.