From NPR News  in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh.
The Obama Administration wants to cut the top corporate tax rate from 35% to 28%. NPR's Scott Horsley reports that's part of a broader proposal designed to simplify the tax code.
The current corporate tax rate is one of the highest in the world while the proposed rate of 28%. It's closer to the average for big industrial countries, in exchange for the lower overall rate, the administration wants to do away with dozens of targeted tax breaks for particular industries. At the same time, the White House wants to provide additional tax in senate to promote manufacturing. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner says the proposal is designed to start a process. That's bound to be long and contentious . The secretary plans to meet with congressional tax writers within the coming weeks. Scott Horsely, NPR News, Washington.
President Obama is hailing the new African-American history museum as not just a record of tragedy but a celebration of life. At the ground breaking on the national mall today, the president said it was on the grounds long ago that the pillars of democracy were built often by black hands. NPR's Allison Keyes says it was a moving event for a number of people.
I am a little bit earlier for 92-year-old, maybe he is from the first class. He said he is proud to be here today. The ship upon which he served is being featured in the museum here as the USS Mason. And he said, he is so proud. He did not seek to live long enough not only to see an African-American president but to see a museum that were out of their contribution that African and Americans have made to this country. NPR's Allison Keyes.
After nearly 7 months, the trail of Egypt's ousted president Hosni Mubarak draws to a close today.Reports Mubarak is charged with corruption and ordering the death of hundreds of protestors during last year's uprising.
Defense lawyers are making their closing arguments today in the controversial trial which has been unfolding largely behind closed doors. Prosecutors claim Mubarak gave police shoot-to-kill orders and to use live ammunitions against protestors, whose demonstrations ended history decades of rule a year ago. Mubarak could face the death penalty if found guilty. Although any convictions likely to be appeared. But there will be no verdicts today. The former leader is on trail along with his two sons Alaa and Gamal, as well as a former interior minister and several top police officials. NPR News, Cairo.
Syrian activists are reporting helicopter gunships being used in northwestern Syria. In Homs, a site of more than two weeks shelling, residents estimated dozens more people have been killed today, among them, two western journalists American Marie Colvin and French native Remi Ochlik.
At last check on Wall Street, the Dow was down 10 points at 12,956.
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The death toll is rising in Argentina's worst train crash in decades. At least 49 people are dead, as many 600 injured. Authorities say a crowded train slummed into the buffers at one station during morning rush hour. Authorities are still pulling victims from the wreckage.
Supporters of California's ban on same-sex marriage say they will appear a ruling earlier this month by a federal appeals court that struck down Proposition 8. NPR's Richard Gonzales reports backers of the measure will ask a larger panel of the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to review the ruling.
A 3 judge panel split 2 to 1 finding that Prop. 8 is unconstitutional because it discriminates against the minority group for no compelling reason. But the sponsors of Prop. 8 say that decision is out of step with other federal court rulings and they are requesting another hearing in other words before all of the judges of 9th Circuit. And majority of judges on that panel would have to vote to grant the hearing. The appeal is expected to delay the possibility of the case going to the US Supreme Court. Richard, Gonzales, NPR News, San Francisco.
Federal charges are being brought against the former Supreme attendant of west Virginia's Upper Big Branch mine, site of the 2010 explosion that killed 29 men. Gary May is accused of conspiring to defraud the federal government. So far May is the highest-ranking Massey Energy  employee to face criminal charges in connection with the tragedy.
Latest from Wall Street, Dow is down 9 points at 12,956 in trading now about two billion shares, NASDAQ also  off 8 points. It's at 2,940. And the S&P500 falling 2 points, 1360.
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