CENTCOM: Troops in Afghanistan for years
WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- The commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan said American troops could stay for years to ensure the Afghan government is able to run its own affairs. Army Gen. Tommy Franks told a news briefing at the Pentagon Thursday U.S. forces in Afghanistan have to complete their work, which includes "a maturation of the government inside Afghanistan ... training of the Afghan national army ... and police forces." The general, who also heads the U.S. Central Command, was commenting on an earlier statement by an unnamed U.S. official who had said that the U.S. military will be in Afghanistan for years.
WTC victims sue Sept. 11 financiers
WASHINGTON, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Relatives of victims of the Sept. 11 terror attacks filed a lawsuit Thursday against the banks, charities and individual financiers who allegedly bankrolled the strikes. "It's up to us to bankrupt the terrorists and those who finance them so they will never again have the resources to commit such atrocities against the American people as we experienced on Sept. 11," said Deena Burnett, whose husband, Tom, was killed aboard Flight 93 in Pennsylvania. The list of more than 80 defendants included: Osama bin Laden; seven banks; Islamic charitable foundations; the Saudi bin Laden Group, also known as bin Laden Corp.; and three Saudi princes.
Flooded Prague seeks aid to save heritage
PRAGUE, Czech Republic, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- As sewage-choked floodwaters rushed past Prague Castle and the Charles Bridge, Czech Republic Sen. Jaroslava Moserova anxiously worked the phones Thursday in a desperate hunt for money. Moserova was pleading with UNESCO and governments around the world for the funds needed to clean, repair and restore acres of architectural treasures ravaged by the worst flood in Prague's 1,000-year history. She said the water damage to palaces, theaters, libraries and other historic gems in the flood plain was far beyond what the federal or municipal governments could afford. International aid was the only hope to save much of the old city. The river started receding rapidly Thursday, but officials said it could be days before the city's 50,000 evacuees can return.
30 killed in road mishap in India
NEW DELHI, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- At least 30 people were killed and 22 injured when a passenger bus skidded off a road and plunged into a stream in India's northern Jammu region Friday. Officials said rescue workers were trying to retrieve any survivors.
Nasdaq pulls out of Japan
NEW YORK, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- The Nasdaq Stock Market it is pulling out of its Japanese venture effective Oct. 15. "Nasdaq deeply regrets having to take this step," Rick Ketchum, Nasdaq's president said in a statement released early Friday. "However, a review of our strategic options going forward led us to the conclusion that due to economic and market conditions this was the only option remaining." The decision to discontinue Nasdaq Japan Inc. was announced following a board meeting. Nasdaq Japan, a joint venture between Nasdaq and the Japanese Internet firm Softbank Corp., will continue to operate as a section of the Osaka Stock Exchange, officials said. The nearly 100 companies now listed on Nasdaq Japan will continue to trade on the OSE but won't be associated with Nasdaq Japan after year-end, said Nasdaq officials.
Report: Probe focuses on ex-AOL executive
NEW YORK, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- U.S. investigators examining accounting practices at AOL Time Warner Inc.'s America Online unit appear to be focusing on the actions of a former company executive, David Colburn, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday. The Securities and Exchange Commission has issued subpoenas to AOL seeking a variety of documents, some of which relate to transactions in which Colburn was involved. Until last week, Colburn was an AOL executive vice president in charge of structuring many of America Online's advertising and commerce deals. The Journal reported that he left the company under pressure last week, after one of his former employees in the business-affairs division told internal lawyers about a questionable transaction.
Hewitt upset at Indianapolis
INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt was knocked off by big-serving Greg Rusedski in straight sets Thursday in the third round of the $800,000 RCA Championships at Indianapolis. Rusedski, the No. 14 seed from Britain, was never broken on the way to a 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 upset of the Australian top seed. "I feel confident when I'm playing against Lleyton because I think I'm one of a few guys who he doesn't like playing against too much," Rusedski said. "I've been trying to keep my level of consistency and I've really been just a few points away from breaking through in very big tournaments for the past couple of months. I have a very good opportunity this week and I hope that I can carry it through."
Hingis reaches quarterfinals
MONTREAL, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Switzerland's Martina Hingis received a wild card berth in the U.S. Open Thursday and then celebrated with an impressive win at the Rogers AT&T Cup. Playing in her first event since ankle surgery in May, the 21-year-old Hingis rolled into the quarterfinals with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Clarissa Fernadez of Argentina. The former world No. 1 had surgery on May 20 to repair a torn ligament and three loose ligaments in her left ankle. She was expected to be sidelined for about four months, but made a rapid return from the surgery and also will play in next week's Pilot Pen.
