Annan: Afghans should plan rebuilding
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Afghanistan should sign off on any rebuilding plans in which it's helped by other nations, U.N. secretary-general Kofi Annan told reporters after arriving Wednesday. "I hope that all countries -- neighbors and those from other parts of the world -- will cooperate on the reconstruction of Afghanistan," Annan told reporters. Annan is on his way to Kabul for a one-day visit Friday, fresh from an Afghanistan reconstruction conference in Tokyo in which 60 countries pledged $4.5 billion over a five-year period. Of that, $1.8 billion is pledged for the first year.
'American Taliban' due in court Thursday
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- John Walker Lindh, the American Taliban fighter captured in Afghanistan, is expected to appear in federal court in Northern Virginia Thursday morning to face charges that could bring a sentence of life in prison. The U.S. attorney said the initial hearing would occur "if John Walker Lindh arrives in our district today" (Wednesday).
US female soldiers: Respect Islamic dress
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Saudi religious sources said Wednesday all women, including female soldiers serving with U.S. forces, must respect the Islamic head-to-toe dress. Sources said the Saudi religious police would not allow foreign females to walk around in public without the traditional black abaya, a cloak-like wrap that covers a woman head to toe in violation of the country's traditions. That will include U.S. female soldiers, sources said. The renewed call to respect the dress code comes as the U.S. military says it will no longer require women to wear the robes when venturing off base.
Hezbollah, Israeli forces clash on border
TEL AVIV, Israel, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Israeli leaders Wednesday blamed Syria and Iran for a Hezbollah guerrilla shelling of Israeli positions in the northern Golan Heights Wednesday afternoon. The hour-long fighting entailed shelling of four Israeli positions to which the Israelis retaliated with artillery and airstrikes. There were no reports of casualties. Israeli Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said, "No such shooting could have been possible without Syrian approval, and most certainly without backing and pushing by Iran." Syria is the main power broker in Lebanon and an aide to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon noted Syria has prevented the Lebanese army from deploying its troops along the border. Iran has been providing Hezbollah with arms.
Howling snowstorm whips Atlantic Canada
ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Howling winds and driving snow whipped Atlantic Canada for the second straight day Wednesday, forcing schools and businesses to close, while flights to airports in the region were canceled. The snowstorm, the second to hit the area in a week, began Tuesday and continued through the night, making driving conditions hazardous. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police warned drivers to stay off the Trans-Canada Highway, which was blocked by snowdrifts at several points. Police also advised people to stay home if they did not need to drive Wednesday.
Hearst ready for SLA trial showdown
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Patricia Hearst has served notice she is ready and willing to testify as a likely key witness against four veterans of the Symbionese Liberation Army accused of murdering a bank customer during a 1975 holdup staged by the now-defunct radical gang. Nearly 30 years after she became a household name during the bizarre crime spree with the SLA, Hearst said Tuesday night on CNN's "Larry King Live" she is ready to help put away the four middle-aged members of the group that kidnapped her, brainwashed her and dragged her into a brief but violent career as a bank robber during the mid-1970s.
World's oldest person 115
COLDWATER, Mich., Jan. 23 (UPI) -- The woman the Guinness Book of World Records cites as the oldest living person celebrated her 115th birthday this week with a party at her nursing home, a mayoral proclamation and a plaque. There was no congratulatory phone call from the White House to mark the milestone for Maud-Farris-Luse like that she received on her 110th birthday from then-President Bill Clinton -- and she wasn't even the world's oldest living person then. Farris-Luse was born Jan. 21, 1887, in Moreley, Mich. These days, her address is at the Laurels of Coldwater where she is largely confined to a bed or chair.
Artificial heart called basically sound
DANVERS, Mass., Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Abiomed Inc., the company conducting clinical trials of the world's first self-contained artificial heart, Wednesday said the basic design is sound but researchers have decided to remove a plastic cage on a surgical cuff that may cause blood clotting. At least two of five AbioCor heart recipients, between 61 and 74 years old, suffered strokes. The Food and Drug Administration has given permission for the device to be implanted in 15 patients. Six patients were selected last year. One died on the operating table and two others died after receiving the heart.
Tech bounce sends stocks higher
NEW YORK, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Technology stocks rallied Wednesday sending prices higher on Wall Street and the Nasdaq Stock Market. The blue-chip Dow Jones industrial average gained 17.09 points, or 0.18 percent, in choppy trading to close at 9,730.89 with 1.4 billion shares changing hands. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index rose 39.80 points, or 2.11 percent, to 1,922.33.
Capriati, Clijsters in Australian semis
MELBOURNE, Australia (UPI) -- The stage was set Wednesday for the semifinals of the Australian Open. Despite facing their toughest foes so far, Jennifer Capriati of the United States and Kim Clijsters of Belgium each eased into the semis and will face each other to determine who gets a shot at the title. Martina Hingis of Switzerland and Monica Seles of the U.S. make up the other semifinal pairing in the women's draw. If Capriati and Seles win they would set up the first all-American Australian Open final in 14 years. On the men's side, Tommy Haas of Germany will face Russia's Marat Safin and Thomas Johansson of Sweden takes on Jiri Novak of the Czech Republic.
