Five U.S. soldiers killed in Afghanistan
BAGRAM AIR BASE, Afghanistan, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Five U.S. soldiers died and seven others were injured Sunday in a helicopter crash near the Bagram air base in Afghanistan.
"The cause of the crash is unknown and under military investigation," Central Command said in a statement.
Helicopters from the Bagram base have been used as part of "Operation Mountain Resolve," a U.S. offensive against suspected al-Qaida and Taliban members in remote areas of the country, the BBC said.
The Central Command statement said the troops aboard the downed helicopter were supporting that operation, the BBC said.
No further information was immediately available.
Powell offers help to new Georgian leader
WASHINGTON, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Secretary of State Colin Powell called the interim Georgian President Nino Burjanadze Sunday and assured her of U.S. support.
The State Department said Powell expressed hopes for a stable and democratic Georgia, United Press International reported.
Burjanadze formally replaced Eduard Shevardnadze earlier Sunday after the embattled former president agreed to step down following a widespread protest in the Georgian capital, Tbilisi.
The United States, the department said, "stand(s) ready to support the new government in holding free and fair parliamentary elections in the future as required by the Constitution."
Referring to the widespread protest that forced Shevardnadze out, the department said, "The people of Georgia have heard the call of Mikheil Saakashvili and his colleagues in the opposition to move to a new stage in Georgian politics."
The State Department also praised Shevardnadze, saying: "We know that President Shevardnadze's decision was difficult, but that he made his decision in the best interests of the people of Georgia."
World Trade Center train station reopens
NEW YORK CITY, N.Y., Nov. 23 (UPI) -- The area of New York City known as "ground zero" since Sept. 11, 2001, bustled with positive activity Sunday for the first time since that fateful day.
The ruby-red "WTC" destination signs were lit once again and the World Trade Center PATH Station reopened Sunday after a $323 million, 16-month reconstruction, The New York Times reported.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey, New Jersey Senators Jon Corzine and Frank R. Lautenberg joined members of victims' families for the ceremonial first trip aboard the last eight cars to leave the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, the Times said.
The link to New Jersey was formally opened to the public at 2 p.m. for free rides until midnight.
Two tunnels had to be rebuilt and more than a mile of new track had to be replaced. The new permanent $2 billion transportation hub planned for the site will be done in 2006.
Newest of royal family goes home
LONDON, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- The newest member of Britain's royal family left the hospital with her parents Sunday.
Prince Edward and Countess Sophie proudly displayed their daughter to the press waiting outside Frimley Park Hospital in Surrey, the BBC reported.
The infant, who has yet to be named, was delivered by emergency Caesarean section four weeks early after her mother started having contractions on Nov. 8.
The earl and countess are thought to have chosen the baby's name, but it must be approved by the Queen before being made public, the BBC said.
As they left the hospital, the couple thanked hospital staff, while patients looked on, the BBC said.
Sophie told reporters it was "the best day ever," the BBC said.
Asked what their plans were, she said: "Just to be a family."
