911 anniversary news live Joe Biden appeals for unity as US marks 20 years since world-altering attacks

Joe Biden calls for unity on 9/11 on 20th anniversary of attacks

Joe Biden has called for a return to the spirit of “true national unity” that took hold in America in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks 20 years ago.

On Friday night he said that togetherness was seen in “heroism everywhere”, adding: “To me that's the central lesson of 11 September. Unity is our greatest strength.”

The US president is to visit the site of all three attacks today, in New York City and Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon. On Saturday morning world leaders including Queen Elizabeth II and Emmanuel Macron marked the occasion with solemn messages of support.

Washington has only just ended its involvement in one of the wars spawned by 9/11. Mr Biden withdrew American forces from Afghanistan last month as the native army the US had spent billions to equip and train collapsed, allowing the Taliban to retake power.

His unilateral decision caught allied nations on the hop and led to chaos in Kabul as thousands begged to be saved from the returning theocrats.

Meanwhile, people outside the US will reflect on a world changed forever by the hijackings which killed nearly 3,000 people two decades ago.

All-seeing government surveillance and other privacy infringements like full-body scanners at airports; the rise of Isis in the aftermath of the Iraq war; civilians slaughtered in anonymous drone strikes, including children; lawless “rendition” kidnappings of innocents and terrorists alike.

All this and more can be traced to the hours in which the globe stood aghast, watching smoke belch from the World Trade Centre before the towers’ horrifying collapse.

Show latest update 1631355856World leaders mark 9/11 anniversary with messages of support

World leaders including Emmanuel Macron and Queen Elizabeth have sent supportive messages to the US on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.

Mr Macron, the president of France, wrote on Twitter that his country will never forget the bombings, adding: “We will always fight for freedom.”

The Queen told Joe Biden that “my thoughts and prayers â€" and those of my family and the entire nation â€" remain with the victims, survivors and families affected, as well as the first responders and rescue workers called to duty”.

Moon Jae-in, of South Korea, said earlier today his nation would remain a staunch supporter of Washington, adding that “no violence can win against peace and inclusiveness”.

In a memorial video message, Boris Johnson said: “The fact that we are coming together today, in sorrow but also in faith and resolve, demonstrates the failure of terrorism and the strength of the bonds between us.”

Jon Sharman11 September 2021 11:241631355254Sneha Philip: The mystery of the woman who disappeared on 9/11

Twenty years have passed since Sneha Anne Philip was last seen alive in New York City.

Within that time, she’s been included, removed and readded to the official 9/11 victims list, accounts of her actions have been given and retracted, and even her official date of death has been changed. The descriptions of her life and character given by police and her family are so markedly different, they could be about two entirely separate people.

In other words, even after after two decades, the fate of Sneha Philip remains a complete mystery, writes Helen Elfer.

Jon Sharman11 September 2021 11:141631353394Watch live as New York commemorates 20th anniversary of 9/11 attacksWatch live as New York commemorates 20th anniversary of 9/11 attacks

New York is marking the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people with a commemorative ceremony in the city.US President Joe Biden has already made an appeal to the nation to reclaim the spirit of cooperation that sprung up in the days following the terror attacks that took place in New York, Virginia as well as a plane that was downed in Pennsylvania as he commemorates those who died in the nation’s worst terror attack on their soil.

Jon Sharman11 September 2021 10:431631352794Chris Evans criticises Donald Trump for commentating on boxing match on anniversary of attacks

Captain America star Chris Evans has criticised former president Donald Trump for recording boxing commentary on the anniversary of 9/11.

Today marks 20 years since the terrorist attacks on New York’s World Trade Centre took place.

Trump is set to provide commentary at an exhibition boxing event, which will see the returns of David Haye, 40, and Evander Holyfield, 58.

Jon Sharman11 September 2021 10:33163135165420 years of conflict and terror since 9/1120 years of conflict and terror since 9/11Jon Sharman11 September 2021 10:141631350514South Korea extends condolences to US on anniversary of 9/11

South Korea’s president has expressed his "deepest sympathies" to Joe Biden and the American people on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Moon Jae-in said in a message posted on Twitter and Facebook that the "shock of that day still remains as deep wounds in the hearts of so many" and that "no violence can win against peace and inclusiveness".

He said South Korea as "American's strong ally will continue to actively join your and the international community's efforts to combat terrorism".

Jon Sharman11 September 2021 09:551631349914Opinion: By letting Saudi Arabia off the hook over 9/11, the US encouraged violent jihadism

Two decades after 9/11, the role of Saudi Arabia in the attack remains in dispute despite unrelenting efforts by the US and Saudi governments to neutralise it as a live political issue, writes Patrick Cockburn.

The Saudi Arabia embassy in Washington this week issued a statement detailing its anti-terrorist activities and ongoing hostility to Al-Qaeda.

This was briskly rejected by the lawyers for the families of the 9/11 victims who said that, “what Saudi Arabia desperately does not want to discuss is the substantial and credible evidence of the complicity [in the attack] of their employees, agents and sponsored agents”.

Jon Sharman11 September 2021 09:451631348774Boris Johnson says 9/11 commemorations demonstrate 'failure of terrorism'Boris Johnson says 9/11 commemorations demonstrate 'failure of terrorism'Jon Sharman11 September 2021 09:261631348174Book extract: I escaped the 80th floor of the North Tower â€" then it collapsed on me

You know what happened.

Twenty years ago, on what began as a splendid Tuesday, 11 September, 2001, at 8.46:30am, an American Airlines Boeing 767 passenger jet, Flight 11, travelling from Boston to San Francisco at 500mph, weighing about 12 tonnes, carrying about 24,000 gallons of fuel with 93 people on board, some of whose throats had already been slit by the suicide-terrorists, was hijacked and plunged into the 93rd floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center, like a gigantic hurtling meteor from outer space.

It practically tore through the entire width of the building, straight across, from one side to the other. I was on the 80th floor, where I worked for Beast Financial Systems, writes Sharon Premoli.

Jon Sharman11 September 2021 09:161631347034Opinion: 9/11 created a paradox from which we have still escaped

In one especially grim regard, no country has paid a higher price for the appalling events of 9/11 than the United Kingdom. Sixty-seven British people were killed that day, in what remains the single worst terrorist attack on British life, writes Tom Peck.

In the wars that were subsequently fought in their honour, almost 10 times that number of British military personnel have been killed â€" 455 in Afghanistan and 179 in Iraq.

America, unsurprisingly, has more horrifying numbers but they are in less shocking proportion. 2,605 Americans were murdered on 9/11, compared to an estimated 7,000 members of the US military who have been killed prosecuting the “war on terror”, which nominally came to an end in humiliating and violent fashion a fortnight ago.

Jon Sharman11 September 2021 08:57

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