A couple views the Tribute in Light beams and the One World Trade Center tower from Little Island park on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks in Manhattan, New York City, U.S. on Friday. America is set to mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11 with ceremonies given added poignancy by the recent chaotic withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and return to power of the Taliban.
-reuters
NEW YORK - President Barack Obama lauded American unity Tuesday as the country marked a somber but low-key anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks under crisp blue skies poignantly reminiscent of 11 years ago.
"The true legacy of 9/11 will not be one of fear or hate or division," Obama said at the Pentagon near Washington. "It will be a safer world, a stronger nation, and a people more united than ever before."
Highlighting what he said were the "crippling" blows dealt against Al-Qaeda and the killing last year of Osama bin Laden, Obama said the United States is "even stronger."
As every year, relatives of the nearly 3,000 people killed when al-Qaeda hijackers slammed airliners into New York's World Trade Center gathered at Ground Zero to read out the names of the dead.
The flawless blue sky was identical to the one 11 years ago when millions of people watched from the streets and live on television as the planes flew straight into the upper floors of the Twin Towers, causing them to collapse.
However, emotions are distinctly cooler as America finally tries to draw a line under an event that sparked the decade of Washington's controversial and expensive war on terror.
No politicians joined in the reading at Ground Zero and security was less intense, in contrast to the 10th anniversary last year when Obama headed a long list of VIPs at the ceremony.
June Pollicino, who lost her husband on 9/11, told AFP: "I feel much more relaxed. After the ninth anniversary, those next days it started building up to the 10th anniversary. This year it's different in that regard. It's another anniversary we can celebrate in a discreet way."
Although most New York area newspapers featured front page stories or other mentions about the anniversary on Tuesday, The New York Times and the tabloid Post were conspicuous in deciding to keep coverage inside.
In total, 2,983 names were read out at Ground Zero, including the 9/11 victims and those killed in the precursor to those attacks, the 1993 car bombing of the World Trade Center.
The reading paused for silence at the exact time each of the four planes turned into fireballs -- two smashing into the Twin Towers, one into the Pentagon and one into a Pennsylvania field.
Another two moments of silence were observed at the times the two main towers of the World Trade Center collapsed, accounting for the vast majority of 9/11's dead.
Obama, who earlier stood for a moment's silence on the White House South Lawn, had no planned political events planned Tuesday and his reelection campaign planned to halt television advertising for the day, a campaign official said.
However, there was no formal pause similar to that in the presidential campaign of four years ago, when both Obama and his then Republican rival John McCain joined to lay a wreath at Ground Zero in New York.
Former president Bill Clinton was campaigning for his fellow Democrat Obama and speaking out against Republican Mitt Romney in Miami. Romney issued a statement thanking US troops and saying "those who would attack us should know that we are united."
Vice President Joe Biden, meanwhile, was traveling to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where United flight 93 crashed after passengers attacked the hijackers and prevented them from hitting another presumed high-profile target, such as the US Capitol building.
The passage of time and more pressing worries about the moribund US economy have distracted public attention from the tragedy of 9/11, particularly compared to the huge media coverage of the 10th anniversary last year.
Helping to heal the wounds are the new memorial at Ground Zero and the near completion of main skyscraper at the World Trade Center, now officially the tallest building in New York.
The memorial's long delayed museum now also appears set to be opened after Mayor Michael Bloomberg and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo reached an accord late Monday over funding.
Underlining US successes in targeting al-Qaeda leaders, bin Laden's successor Ayman al-Zawahiri released a video on the eve of this year's anniversary in which he confirmed that his deputy, Abu Yayha al-Libi, had been killed in a drone strike in Pakistan in June.
Libi was considered Al-Qaeda's global propaganda mastermind and his death dealt the biggest blow to the group since the killing of bin Laden in May 2011.
However, the Taliban scorned the idea that they are defeated, saying in Afghanistan that they had nothing to do with 9/11 and that the United States faces "utter defeat in Afghanistan militarily, politically, economically and in all other facets."
Most foreign troops are scheduled to withdraw by the end of 2014, handing over responsibility for combat to Western-backed Afghan government forces.
source: interaksyon.com
The actor is spending Tuesday participating in the Cantor Fitzgerald's Charity Day, along with a host of other celebrities. Cantor Fitzgerald, the financial firm that lost 658 employees in the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001, has marked the anniversary of that day by raising funds for charities; this year, more than 100 are expected to benefit.
"This is not necessarily a somber event; I think this is more of a celebration, a celebration of humanity, and an acknowledgement of the needs of the people in the community," Fox said in a phone interview Monday. "On a day when so many were affected by so few in such a negative way, it's a great way for so few ... to help the wider community in kind of reverse — the energy of that day, the negative energy of that day, with a positive show of support for the community."
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's research is among the day's beneficiaries. Fox has been afflicted by the disease for years, is a strong supporter of stem cell research and has lobbied in Washington in his battle to eradicate Parkinson's.
"A lot of the needs were met of the people who were affected that day as much as they could be met beyond the lasting feelings that go on forever ... the fact that it as an impetus to branch out and to help other people in other communities and continue the spirit of generosity, of humanity, I think was really key in moving forward," Fox said.
Fox added that he was grateful for the support from the financial community: "I like to joke that Alex Keaton was the role model for so many of these guys, so maybe they had a special place in their hearts for me and my work," referring to the capitalist-loving character that made him famous some three decades ago.
Fox is returning to sitcoms after a decade-long absence. He's working with NBC on a show that will touch on his Parkinson's struggles; it is set to debut next year.
"I'm really excited about that. It's a great idea and it's a great group of people I'm working with and NBC has been really supportive of the idea ... and obviously shown that they're willing to take a chance on us," he said.
Fox took time off from television while he was dealing with Parkinson's, which degrades the central nervous system and can cause slurred speech and impaired motor skills.
But Fox said his condition is good.
"I was just feeling better and things are working for me medication-wise, and I just thought, 'Why don't I take this opportunity to do it?' I wake up every day and I feel good and if I don't go forward with something like this, it's another day wasted when I should be doing what I'm doing."
source: nytimes.com
NEW YORK -- Americans mark the 11th anniversary of the attacks on September 11, 2001 on Tuesday with relatively low-key ceremonies that reflect a gradual dampening of passions around the emotional day.
The main ceremony will be the ritual reading at New York's Ground Zero of the names of the 2,983 people killed both on 9/11 and in the precursor to those attacks, the 1993 car bombing of the World Trade Center.
Relatives of the dead will take turns to read the names against a backdrop of mournful music.
They will pause for moments of silence marking the moment when four planes hijacked by al-Qaeda turned into fireballs -- two smashing into the Twin Towers, one into the Pentagon and one crashing into a Pennsylvania field.
Another two moments of silence will be observed at the times the two towers collapsed, accounting for the vast majority of 9/11's victims.
However, this year New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and other politicians will not take the podium at Ground Zero, in contrast with last year's 10th anniversary, when President Barack Obama led a long list of VIP guests.
Obama and his wife Michelle will observe the anniversary with a moment of silence outside the White House, then visit the Pentagon memorial.
Vice President Joe Biden, meanwhile, will travel to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where United flight 93 crashed after passengers attacked the hijackers and thwarted a worse disaster had it continued to its target.
The White House said Obama had been briefed by "key national security principals on ... preparedness and security posture" for the anniversary.
But in keeping with the lower key atmosphere this year, there will apparently be no official suspension of the bitter presidential campaign.
Former president Bill Clinton will be campaigning for Obama and speaking out against Republican Mitt Romney at an event in Miami.
The passage of time appears to have cooled public attention to September 11, particularly after the huge media coverage of the 10th anniversary, which many saw as a suitable moment for allowing commemorations to peak.
The killing by American troops of al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden in May 2011 has helped draw a line under 9/11, as has the opening of the Ground Zero memorial, which opened for last year's ceremonies.
A skyscraper at One World Trade Center is near completion and is again the tallest building in New York, as were the Twin Towers before they fell down.
This year sees the publishing on Tuesday of a book by a former US Navy SEAL who was among the troops that shot dead bin Laden in his Pakistani hideout.
The book describes in gory detail how the special forces killed the fugitive, then radioed back the news, saying it was "for God and country."
The Pentagon has threatened legal action against the author who uses the penname Mark Owen, but has been outed by the US media as Matt Bissonnette.
Last week, Obama said in a radio address that the United States is "stronger, safer and more respected in the world" since 9/11.
But his Republican opponent has accused Obama of weak leadership during the Arab Spring turmoil and of failing to be tough enough on Iran's government.
In Afghanistan, which once hosted bin Laden, US troops continue to struggle to overcome the Taliban guerrilla army.
Most foreign troops are scheduled to withdraw by the end of 2014, handing over responsibility for combat to Western-backed Afghan government forces.
source: interaksyon.com
(CNN) -- Federal health authorities Monday added 58 types of cancer to the list of covered illnesses for people who were exposed to toxins at the site of the World Trade Center in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.
The addition finalizes a recommendation from Dr. John Howard, administrator of the World Trade Center Health Program. Howard proposed in June that the program accept the recommendations of its Science/Technical Advisory Committee and add some cancers to the coverage list -- 14 categories in all.
The advisory committee review called for expanded "coverage for certain types of cancer resulting from exposure to toxins released at Ground Zero."
"The publication of this final rule marks an important step in the effort to provide needed treatment and care to 9/11 responders and survivors through the WTC Health Program," Howard said in a statement Monday.
The rule is expected to be published Wednesday in the Federal Register, and will take effect 30 days after its publication, Howard said.
First responders, volunteers, survivors of the attacks and residents near the site who meet specific qualifications will be eligible for coverage, according to the World Trade Center Health Program.
According to the proposed rule, an estimated 950 to 2,150 people would take advantage of the additional coverage.
The estimated cost for the total cancer treatment ranges between $14.5 million and $33 million, the proposal said.
The original bill as passed by the House had a 30-year compensation program, but the Senate reduced it to five years.
Many cancers may not appear for decades after an exposure, according to experts.
The World Trade Center Health Program was created as a result of the passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act.
The Zadroga Act, passed by Congress in December 2010, is designed to provide medical services and compensation for responders who were exposed to toxins while working at ground zero.
President Barack Obama signed the $4.2 billion legislation in January 2011. The law is named after a New York police officer who died of a respiratory disease attributed to working amid the toxic chemicals at the attack site.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg hailed the addition Monday.
"Tomorrow we will remember those we lost to the 9/11 terrorist attacks and also those who bravely responded during and after the tragedy," he said in a statement.
"As part of our ongoing commitment to our first responders, New York City led the way in ensuring that the Zadroga Act included reviews of the medical evidence so that all those ill from exposure to the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks receive the care they need.
"We have urged from the very beginning that the decision whether or not to include cancer be based on science; Dr. Howard's decision, made after thorough consideration of the latest available research and data, will continue to ensure that those who have become ill due to the heinous attacks on 9/11 will get the medical care they need and deserve," Bloomberg said.
New York Reps. Carolyn B. Maloney, Jerrold Nadler and Peter T. King, said in a joint statement in June the proposal "helps pave the way for expanding the scope of available medical care and compensation for those sickened by the toxins at Ground Zero."
"As we have all seen with our own eyes again and again, cancer incidence among responders and survivors is a tragic fact, and we must continue to do everything we can to provide the help that those who are sick need and deserve," the lawmakers said.
The move is an about-face from Howard's announcement in July 2011, when he stated that cancer treatments would not be covered by the compensation fund.
At the time, Howard said there was inadequate "published scientific and medical findings" to link September 11 exposures to cancer.
To determine eligibility for the World Trade Center Health Program, visit www.cdc.gov/wtc.
source: CNN
