10 Top News Stories Today, January 25, 2014

Read Time:3 Minute, 12 Second

Even the mighty shall fall, and it’s just a matter of time before former VA governor Bob McDonnell finds out how far. Syrian peace talks are moving forward, and people are dying once again in Cairo, Egypt. These stories and more make up today’s top headlines.

The McDonnell pair is America-bound until July. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

1. Bob and Maureen McDonnell plead not guilty
The former governor of Virginia and his wife plead not guilty to corruption charges in an arraignment Friday. The two were ordered not to leave the country before their trial on July 28. [Reuters]
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2. At least six dead in Cairo bombing
Despite increased security measures in anticipation of the anniversary of the 2011 Arab Spring, four bombs were detonated in Egypt’s capital Friday. “It is a vile desperate attempt by evil terrorist forces to disrupt the success Egypt and its people have achieved,” said Hazem El-Beblawi, the military government’s interim prime minister. [The New York Times]
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3. Russia will extend Snowden’s asylum
Russian Foreign Affairs Chairman Aleskei K. Pushkov told the World Economic Forum that Russia will extend the NSA leaker’s asylum to the end of August. “He will not be sent out of Russia,” he said. “It will be up to Snowden.” [The New York Times]
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4. Markets fall as investors flee emerging markets
Stocks fell Friday as investors pulled out of emerging markets, sending currencies around the world tumbling. Analysts pointed to two economic trends as likely culprits: The winding down of the Fed’s efforts to stimulate the economy, which previously eased concerns about investing in risky assets in the developing world, and China’s slowing growth, which has hit the market for raw materials hard. The Dow Jones fell over 300 points to ends its worst week since 2011. [CNBC]
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5. Mac turns 30
Yesterday marked 30 years since the first Apple computer, Macintosh 128, was released. Steve Jobs called the machine the personal computer “for the rest of us.” [The Huffington Post]
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6. Adam Lanza’s father meets with Connecticut officials
The father of the infamous shooter who massacred 20 children and six teachers, agreed to help The Sandy Hook Advisory Commission by locating missing school and medical records. [AP]
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7. 9/11 museum will charge $24 for admission
The board that oversees the Manhattan museum voted on the $24 admission fee for adults Thursday. Children, seniors, and students will receive discounts and families of the September 11 victims will not be charged. [AP]
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8. Syrian peace talks move forward
The first face-to-face meeting between the Syrian government and its opponents will take place today. It’s a step toward resolving the civil war plaguing Syria, but both the government and Islamist opposition groups expressed doubt that talks will result in an overall settlement. [Reuters]
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9. De Blasio criticized for private speech
New York City mayor Bill de Blasio spoke before a pro-Israel group in an event that was not listed on his public schedule. De Blasio later offered a mea culpa, telling a group of reporters, “We do owe you a clear understanding of where I am and what I’m doing.” The new mayor has been criticized for not living up to his promise to head a more open government. [The New York Times]
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10. Oklahoma’s age restrictions on Plan B struck down
A district court judge permanently struck down a law requiring girls under 17 to obtain a prescription for Plan B, an over the counter contraceptive used to prevent pregnancy within 24 hours of unprotected sex. The Center for Reproductive Rights brought a lawsuit against the Oklahoma law last August, after the Obama administration approved Plan B for girls of all ages. [Think Progress]

Many thanks as always to our friends at The Week for their story compilations.

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