Afghanistan: New flag raised over palace

Dignitaries gathered Tuesday at the Presidential Palace in Kabul to watch a giant black, red and green flag rise above the capital city.

Interim leader Hamid Karzai spoke of a new beginning and a sense of unity for a nation that has been torn apart by decades of conflict.

“I am proud that the national flag … is going to be raised and we will enclose Afghanistan in a new chapter of history,” Karzai said.

The new flag is similar to the one used during the 1933-1973 reign of former King Mohammed Zahir Shah. It honors Islam with a mosque at its center. The background is three vertical bars: black, for mourning; red, for martyrdom; and green, the symbol of peace and security.

Saudi arabia: Hijackers’ citizenship verified

Saudi Arabia acknowledged for the first time today that 15 of the 19 Sept. 11 hijackers were Saudi citizens.

“The names that we got confirmed that,” Interior Minister Prince Nayef said. “Their families have been notified.”

Previously, Saudi Arabia had said the citizenship of the 15 hijackers was in doubt.

Osama bin Laden, the chief suspect in the attacks on the United States was Saudi born but stripped of his citizenship in 1994.

Nayef said the kingdom bears no responsibility for the actions of the hijackers. “This is the truth … and I defy anyone to prove it,” he added.

New York City: CBS to show 2 hours of terror attack video

CBS News has secured exclusive broadcast rights to video that was shot Sept 11 at ground zero. It will air as a two-hour special on March 10.

The footage was shot by French-born New Yorkers Jules and Gedeon Naudet, who are believed to have compiled the most exhaustive video record of the attack.

The Naudets had been accompanying a firefighter from Engine Co. 1, Ladder Co. 7, as part of a documentary. Jules Naudet pointed his camera up when he heard a jet sound and recorded the first impact.

The brothers filmed continuously for the next five hours and captured rescue efforts inside the north tower.

New York City: Scrap yards asked to watch where they sell WTC steel

The city has asked scrap yards not to sell World Trade Center steel to anyone trying to exploit the Sept. 11 tragedy after a company began offering commemorative medallions made from the twin towers’ girders.

“The families of the victims of the terrorist attack continue to deal with the grief and sorrow. … It is unacceptable for manufacturers of medallions and other items to profit from that grief and horror,” Kenneth Holden, commissioner of the city Design and Development Corp., said.

About 60,000 tons of steel from the trade center have been cut and shipped to recyclers around the world. It will end up in buildings, cars, appliances and cans, among other things.

International Agile Manufacturing, a foundry in Statesboro, Ga., bought trade center steel and is producing the medallions, which feature a flag waving behind the twin towers. They are being offered on the Internet and at stores for $29.95.