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What happened on September 11 2001 in the United States?

What happened on September 11 2001 in the United States?
Sep 11 2022 Share

The September 11 attacks, known prominently as the 9/11 attacks, were a series of airline hijackings and suicide attacks committed in 2001 by 19 militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda against the United States. 

Planned well in advance, the militants, most of whom were from Saudi Arabia, travelled to the US beforehand and received commercial flight training. 

Working in small groups, they managed to board 4 domestic airliners in groups of 5 (with a 20th participant being alleged). Taking control of the planes soon after takeoff, the first plane was piloted into the north tower of the World Trade Centre in New York City. 

A second plane crashed into the south tower some 15 minutes later, with both structures erupting in flames and collapsing. Meanwhile, a third plane crashed into the southwest side of the Pentagon near Washington DC at around 9:40. 

The fourth plane crashed in Pennsylvania after its passengers, becoming aware of the attacks via cellular telephone, attempted to overpower the militants. Around 2,750 people were killed in New York, 184 at the Pentagon and 40 in Pennsylvania. All 19 terrorists died. 

Police and fire departments in New York were especially hard-hit as hundreds of them rushed to the scene of the attacks, leading to the deaths of 400 police officers and fire fighters. 

The key operational planner of the attacks was Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (often referred to simply as KSM), who had spent his youth in Kuwait. He had become an active member of the Muslim Brotherhood, attending college in the US and receiving a degree from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in 1986. 

He spent some years in Pakistan and Afghanistan, waging jihad against the Soviet Union after its invasion of the latter country in 1979. In 1996, KSM met Osama bin Laden in Tora Bora and presented a proposal for an operation that would involve training pilots who would crash planes into buildings in the US. 

On the morning of September 11, President Bush had been visiting a second grade classroom in Sarasota, Florida when he was informed that a plane had flown into the World Trade Centre. At 8:30pm, Bush addressed the nation from the Oval Office in a speech that laid out a key doctrine of his administration’s future foreign policy: “We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbour them.”

Bush’s response to the attacks drove his poll ratings from 55% favourable before September 11 to 90% in the days after, the highest ever recorded for a president. 

The attacks were an enormous success for al-Qaeda, being broadcast globally for years to come. For the first time in history, NATO invoked Article 5, allowing its members to respond collectively in self-defence. On October 7th, the US and allied military forces launched an attack against Afghanistan. Within months, thousands of militants were killed or captured, with the Taliban and al-Qaeda driven into hiding. 

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Zabbar bicycle and motorbike pilgrimage returns post COVID hiatus

Zabbar bicycle and motorbike pilgrimage returns post COVID hiatus
Sep 11 2022 Share

Thousands of bicycle and motorbike riders took to the streets from Mosta and Rabat in a pilgrimage dedicated to ‘Our Lady of Graces in Żabbar’. 

The pilgrimage, a tradition which dates back to the 1950s, officially resumes after a two-year break imposed due to the COVID-19 restrictions. 

 

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With motorbikes leaving from Mosta at 9am from Ġnien l-Għarusa al-Mosta, cyclists take off from Rabat, next to the Mdina Gate playground. The pilgrims will be following a painting of Our Lady of Graces. 

The tradition is set to originate from a recommendation made by two MUSEUM members who heard of a pilgrimage by motorcyclists to honour Our Lady of Graces in Italy. Despite being proposed as a one-time event, the tradition stuck.

The pilgrimage was cancelled or postponed on four occasions. First in 1976 due to an election, in 1984, following the deaths of five soldiers and two police officers after a patrol boat explosion, and more recently due to the pandemic. 

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Photo Source: Times of Malta

Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral confirmed for 19th of September: President George Vella to attend

Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral confirmed for 19th of September: President George Vella to attend
Sep 11 2022 Share

The date of the Queen’s funeral has been confirmed for the 19th of September, with King Charles III approving a bank holiday. 

The monarch passed away on September 8th, 2022, with her son, formerly known as Prince Charles, ascending to the throne on September 10th. 

During the proclamation, King Charles III confirmed there will be a bank holiday on the day of the Queen’s funeral. The date of the funeral has yet to be formally announced, but following tradition, it takes place 10 days after she passed away. 

This would mark the 19th of September, 2022, as the date of the funeral. First, Operation Unicorn is set in motion as a result of the Queen having passed away at Balmoral Castle, Scotland

Malta’s President George Vella is also set to attend the funeral, revealing that he is awaiting more details to be released so that he can honour her memory and pay his respects. 

Members of the public will be able to pay their respects at Westminster Hall, with the state funeral taking place at Westminster Abbey before the graveside service at St George’s chapel of Windsor Castle. 

Millions are expected to follow the service, with thousands also set to make their way to London and join the royal family in their mourning of the Queen. A two minutes’ silence will be held at midday across the country on the funeral day. 

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The fight for equality never ends says Prime Minister as he joins Pride March

The fight for equality never ends says Prime Minister as he joins Pride March
Sep 11 2022 Share

Joining the Pride March in Valletta yesterday, Prime Minister Robert Abela said that the fight for equality never ends. 

‘Today’s celebration is one which highlights the massive achievements made and the will as a country to continue to achieve more’ he said, in reference to Malta’s ranking as one of the EU countries with most supportive LGBTIQ+.

Hundreds, from members of the LGBTIQ+ community as well as friends and allies, walked through the streets of Valletta yesterday, donning the Pride colours and celebrating the diversity of gender and sexuality. 

According to Allied Rainbow Communities, an estimated 12,000 people marched yesterday during the event, making it one of biggest Malta Pride March yet. 

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