Nation pauses to remember September 11 on 25th anniversary | First Thing

Commemoration ceremonies to be held around the world for the nearly 3,000 killed in 2001 terror attack on US. Plus, JD Vance sets out his stall as heir to Donald Trump

Good morning. It is a sombre day for the nation as people gather to mourn and remember the nearly 3,000 victims of the attacks on September 11 2001, when 19 al-Qaida hijackers seized control of four airliners, slamming two of the planes into the World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and the fourth into a field in western Pennsylvania.

We have comprehensive coverage of the anniversary, which will be marked by ceremonies around the world. There are stories of the day from people who were there. Stanley Praimnath and Brian Clark were two of only four individuals known to have survived above the impact zone in the south tower, and they spoke to our Washington bureau chief David Smith. Anna Sweeney Rossman was five when her mother, Amy Sweeney, a flight attendant, was killed onboard American Airlines flight 11, and she spoke to Ramon Antonio Vargas about how the events of that day have cast a shadow on her life.

Donald Trump’s promise of a $5,000 “Trump dividend” for every US citizen if Republicans retain control of the US Congress in November’s midterm elections has sparked incredulity and accusations of bribery.

With his approval rating at a historic low, Trump brought down the curtain on the Republicans’ first ever midterm convention by pleading with supporters to do him “the biggest favor” and “pretend” they are voting for him in November’s US elections.

JD Vance, meanwhile, made a clear pitch that he should be the heir to Trump with a blistering speech that featured exaggerated claims of success, criticism of the Democrats as “lunatics” and an aggressive dismissal of a protester waving a Mexican flag.

A US appeals court has rejected Trump’s attempt to impose sweeping restrictions on mail-in voting before November’s high-stakes midterm elections, dealing a fresh blow to the president’s attempted crackdown.

Anthropic has detailed efforts by bad actors to misuse its AI for the production of bioweapons. More researchers and staff members at the AI startup have posted their own dire warnings about the safety of the technology, but Elon Musk called the chorus of concerns a “setup” and a “psyop”.

California has adopted what Gavin Newsom described as “nation-leading” legislation that bans addictive social media features for young users, regulates companion chatbots and implements new safeguards around AI.

Sales of previously occupied US homes declined in August to their slowest annual pace in more than a year as home shoppers grappled with rising mortgage rates and home prices.

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Finland’s largest Viking Age silver hoard discovered by metal detectorist — and it has thousands of coins and pieces of jewelry – Live Science

  1. Finland's largest Viking Age silver hoard discovered by metal detectorist — and it has thousands of coins and pieces of jewelry  Live Science
  2. Hobbyist Archaeologist Uncovers Finland’s Largest Viking-Age Coin Hoard  The New York Times
  3. Viking Age silver cache discovered in Finland with metal detector by amateur archaeologist  ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos
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  5. Backyard treasure hunt: homeowner digging a patio unearths 1,000-year-old Viking treasure  Yahoo
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Trump shadow looms large over Brics as Modi hosts Putin and Xi in Delhi – BBC

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  2. BRICS summit: Is the bloc truly challenging a Western-dominated world?  Al Jazeera
  3. India hosts BRICS summit as Iran war tests bloc unity  Reuters
  4. New Delhi residents face traffic chaos as India prepares to host BRICS summit  AP News
  5. BRICS Is Getting Bigger. Can It Really Challenge the US?  bloomberg.com
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Yemen’s Houthis seize strategic Red Sea port of Mokha – BBC

  1. Yemen's Houthis seize strategic Red Sea port of Mokha  BBC
  2. Iran war live: Houthis take control of Yemen’s entire Red Sea coastline  Al Jazeera
  3. Iran-backed Houthis seize key port in Yemen, advance on another vital oil choke point  CNBC
  4. Houthis Seize Strategic Red Sea Port, a Major Victory for Iranian Ally  The New York Times
  5. Why Houthi gains in Yemen could push gas prices even higher  NPR
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Trump administration allows TPS to continue for Salvadorans – for now – NPR

  1. Trump administration allows TPS to continue for Salvadorans – for now  NPR
  2. As immigration status for Salvadorans remains in limbo, businesses begin layoffs  washingtonpost.com
  3. These immigrants who’ve spent decades in the US fear their deportation protections are on the verge of ending  CNN
  4. Confusion over protected status leaves employers and Salvadoran immigrants scrambling  Los Angeles Times
  5. Thousands of Salvadoran immigrants in Montgomery Co. could soon lose legal protections  WTOP News
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Ukrainian Drone Barrage Sets Ozon Warehouse in Saratov Ablaze – The Moscow Times

  1. Ukrainian Drone Barrage Sets Ozon Warehouse in Saratov Ablaze  The Moscow Times
  2. Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, September 10, 2026  Institute for the Study of War
  3. Ukraine Says It Hit Major Oil Refinery in Russia’s Volga Region  bloomberg.com
  4. Europe’s Latest Natural Gas Headache: Arctic Drone Strikes  WSJ
  5. Estonian intelligence on Ukrainian strikes on Russian plants 3,000 km away: situation has changed  Українська правда
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4.1 magnitude tremor recorded after Israel destroys Hezbollah tunnel network in southern Lebanon – Sky News

  1. 4.1 magnitude tremor recorded after Israel destroys Hezbollah tunnel network in southern Lebanon  Sky News
  2. Israel Destroys Underground Hezbollah Base in Southern Lebanon  The New York Times
  3. Israel destroys Hezbollah tunnel network in south Lebanon, triggering 4.1-magnitude tremor  France 24
  4. IDF: Over 1,100 tons of explosives used to blow up tunnel system in south Lebanon  The Times of Israel
  5. Israel says it has destroyed major underground Hezbollah base  BBC
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