The article reflects on the 25 years since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, focusing on personal loss and the broader national impact. It shares the story of Jenna Jacobs McPartland, whose husband died in the attacks, and discusses how America responded with changes in policy and society.
Key Facts
The September 11 attacks killed nearly 3,000 people when hijackers flew planes into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania.
Jenna Jacobs McPartland’s husband, Ariel Jacobs, died at the World Trade Center; their son was born six days later.
Many families continue to live with grief 25 years after 9/11.
The attacks led the U.S. to take actions that changed immigration policy and influenced domestic and foreign relations.
Initially, 9/11 united Americans, but over time it contributed to division and loss of moral standing internationally.
The attacks ended a period of relative peace and economic surplus in the U.S. during the late 1990s.
The article highlights the emotional and social consequences of labeling and excluding groups, which contributed to the tragedy.
The national September 11 museum in New York preserves memories and stories from that day.
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Photographer Paul Berriff was at the World Trade Center on 9/11 and was caught under rubble after the towers collapsed. He survived the disaster but later developed serious health problems related to the event.
Key Facts
Paul Berriff lived and worked in New York City on September 11, 2001.
He went to film the aftermath after hearing about the planes hitting the Twin Towers.
Berriff witnessed people jumping from the towers and saw both buildings on fire.
He was buried under rubble for about 35 minutes after the south tower collapsed.
He suffered injuries and was later taken to the hospital for treatment and decontamination.
Berriff’s sound recordist, Lulu, survived by escaping into an underground garage.
He was among the first survivors found alive at the centre of the attack site.
Years later, Berriff was diagnosed with terminal illnesses linked to the 9/11 attacks.
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Amy, who chose to remain anonymous, was in an abusive relationship with Christopher Malcolm, a man recently jailed for multiple rapes. Her family and friends helped stop the marriage planned for four weeks after his arrest by reporting concerns and sharing evidence with the police.
Key Facts
Christopher Malcolm abused Amy physically and psychologically during their relationship.
Amy met Malcolm on a dating app in August 2023; they got engaged by Christmas 2023.
Malcolm controlled Amy by limiting her phone use and social contacts.
Violence increased over time, including physical attacks causing permanent injury.
Amy’s family and friends used a police disclosure scheme to report their concerns.
Police arrested Malcolm in September 2024, four weeks before the wedding.
Amy gave a full report of the crimes after Malcolm’s arrest.
Malcolm was jailed in July 2026 for his offenses.
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Karen Rowland, who lived near the World Trade Center in New York, describes how the 9/11 attacks changed her life forever. She recalls the shock of seeing the planes hit the towers and the quiet days that followed, marked by smoke, silence, and people helping each other.
Key Facts
Karen Rowland first thought the crash of the first plane was an accident.
She witnessed the second plane hitting the World Trade Center and realized it was an attack.
Rowland knew some people who died on the planes involved in the attacks.
The dust and smoke from the towers' collapse have caused illnesses that killed more people than the initial attacks.
A total of nearly 3,000 people died in the New York City attacks; 184 died at the Pentagon and 40 on Flight 93.
In the days after the attacks, the area was very quiet, with smoke lingering and phone services gradually restored.
Rowland helped organize blood donations at a nearby hospital, which treated volunteers but no survivors.
The attacks deeply affected how Rowland views life and the importance of caring for others.
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Charles Wolf watched as a hijacked plane flew low over his New York City apartment on September 11, 2001, before it hit the north tower of the World Trade Center where his wife, Katherine, worked. Katherine died instantly in the attacks that killed 2,977 people in total. Charles later campaigned for fair compensation for the victims' families.
Key Facts
On the morning of September 11, 2001, Charles saw a plane flying low over his apartment and realized it was deliberate.
The plane hit the north tower of the World Trade Center, where his wife Katherine worked on the 97th floor.
Katherine died instantly in the attack, which killed 2,977 people in total.
Charles called the FBI immediately after seeing the plane and was the first to alert them it was not an accident.
Katherine had just started her new job less than two weeks before the attack.
No one above the 91st floor of the north tower survived, so Katherine and her colleagues had no chance to escape.
Charles later led efforts to ensure victims' families received proper compensation from the government.
Many people, including emergency workers, suffered long-term health problems due to the attack.
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The black dress Diana, Princess of Wales wore in 1994, known as the "revenge dress," is going up for auction in December. The dress became famous because Diana wore it the night Prince Charles admitted to being unfaithful, marking a turning point in fashion and culture.
Key Facts
Diana wore the black, off-the-shoulder, fitted dress in 1994 after Prince Charles revealed his infidelity on TV.
The dress became known as the "revenge dress" and has its own Wikipedia page.
Sotheby’s will auction the dress in December with an estimated price between £110,000 and £220,000.
The dress will be shown in London, Hong Kong, Geneva, and New York before the sale.
Designed by Christina Stambolian, the dress is seen as a cultural symbol, not just a fashion item.
Diana sold the dress herself in 1997 in a charity auction, raising the equivalent of nearly £100,000 today.
The dress represents Diana’s way of showing confidence and control over a difficult personal situation.
Diana’s style continues to influence people today and is celebrated by fans, including popular social media accounts dedicated to her fashion.
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Iceland plans to submit a bill in February 2027 that could permanently ban commercial whaling in its waters. This move would leave Norway and Japan as the only countries still allowing commercial whale hunting.
Key Facts
The bill aims to stop commercial whaling in Iceland’s waters.
A 2023 report showed that harpooned whales took up to two hours to die, leading to a temporary ban on whaling that year.
Iceland’s minister of industries supports changing outdated whaling laws and ending the hunt.
Up to 8 September this year, 80 fin whales were caught by Icelandic whalers; the quota allows up to 150 whales per season.
Fin whales are the second-largest animals on Earth and are considered vulnerable to extinction.
Iceland has only one whaling company, Hvalur, which currently has a permit valid until 2029.
Norway and Japan continue commercial whaling; Japan left the International Whaling Commission (IWC) in 2019 to resume hunting.
Animal welfare groups see the bill as an important step toward protecting whales and marine conservation.
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Malcolm Potier, a 75-year-old man with a criminal past, attacked theatre-goer Kirsty O'Donnell by strangling her during a performance in London in June 2023. Potier was found guilty and sentenced to two years in jail for non-fatal strangulation.
Key Facts
The attack happened on 7 June 2023 during the musical "We Will Rock You" at the London Coliseum.
Kirsty O'Donnell was strangled by Potier, who was sitting next to her in the dress circle.
Potier is a disgraced ex-millionaire who once bought the Scottish Isle of Gigha, outbidding Mick Jagger in 1989.
Potier had a criminal history, including two jail terms in Australia for trying to hire hitmen to kill his former partner and her boyfriend.
During the attack, Potier told O'Donnell "I'll show you what rude is" before strangling her for about five seconds.
Potier was jailed for two years at Southwark Crown Court in July 2023.
The victim, O'Donnell, said public events and performances were important to her and this incident was especially difficult.
Potier’s partner, theatre critic Lizzie Loveridge, was sitting beside him during the attack and had earlier told O'Donnell to "shut up" because she was singing along.
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New Delhi is preparing to host the BRICS summit with special arrangements like blocked roads and evictions to ensure security and smooth events. These actions have caused some people in the city to feel angry and upset.
Key Facts
New Delhi is hosting the BRICS summit, an important meeting of five major emerging economies.
The city has blocked many roads to manage traffic and provide security during the event.
Authorities have evicted some residents and businesses to clear areas for the summit.
These actions have led to public anger and complaints about disruptions and fairness.
The government aims to present a grand welcome for the BRICS leaders.
BRICS includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
Hosting the summit is part of India’s role in international cooperation among these countries.
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A new fund of $15.5 million has been created to support efforts to end female genital mutilation (FGM) worldwide. This fund aims to increase resources for activists and organizations working on this issue, especially as existing funding and legal protections have recently declined.
Key Facts
Female genital mutilation (FGM) has affected more than 230 million women and girls globally.
The Her Horizon Fund was launched with $14 million from the Wallace Global Fund and $1.5 million from an anonymous donor.
The goal of the fund is to pool $100 million from donors to help end FGM within a generation.
UN funding to fight FGM dropped by 45% last year, from $29.6 million to $16.3 million.
Somalia, a country with widespread FGM, has seen recent progress with several states passing anti-FGM laws.
Some countries like Burkina Faso, the Gambia, and Kenya have criminalized FGM, but legal challenges and opposition remain.
Frontline groups say they need more funding to protect past gains and continue reducing FGM.
The UN aims to eliminate FGM by 2030, but current funding and political support make this target difficult to reach.
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The UK government is reviewing a British-owned surrogacy company, My Surrogacy Journey, after surrogates in Mexico had their insurance claims rejected for health problems, including hysterectomies. Some intended parents have faced large medical bills because insurance did not cover all costs.
Key Facts
My Surrogacy Journey is a UK-based surrogacy provider with sister companies in Mexico and the US.
Commercial surrogacy is banned in the UK but allowed in Mexico and some US states.
Surrogate women in Mexico had insurance claims denied for serious health issues like hysterectomies.
Around 300 surrogacy cases have been moved to a new insurance provider due to claim issues.
Some intended parents had to pay tens of thousands of pounds in medical bills after insurance rejected claims.
Parents are contractually required to pay medical costs not covered by insurance.
The UK government is considering whether to keep My Surrogacy Journey on the official list of UK surrogacy agencies.
The company was founded in 2021 by a British couple and promotes faster and cheaper surrogacy options in Mexico compared to the UK or US.
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Reform UK is experiencing disagreements inside the party over its reaction to protests by a far-right group called Patriot Platform, whose members wore masks and blocked Dover and Portsmouth. Some party members criticize the group and their actions, while others support them or their goals, leading to public disputes among Reform UK figures.
Key Facts
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, called the Patriot Platform’s masked protest in Dover “horrible.”
Patriot Platform is a far-right group whose members wore balaclavas to protest immigration issues.
Ryan Bridge, co-founder of the anti-migrant group Raise the Colours, spoke at Reform UK’s conference and is linked to the far right.
Bridge faces legal charges including racially aggravated harassment.
Some party members and councillors praised the protesters as “patriots” defending Britain.
Reform UK officials like Zia Yusuf and others criticized the use of masks but sometimes supported the protest goals.
There are open disagreements within Reform UK over Farage’s response and the party’s stance toward these right-wing activists.
Some local Reform members said protesters covered their faces to avoid losing jobs due to fears of media backlash.
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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called President Donald Trump twice to ask for U.S. strikes against the Houthi group in Yemen, which is advancing near a key Red Sea shipping route. President Trump declined to launch strikes but the U.S. is providing intelligence and support to Saudi Arabia while avoiding direct military involvement.
Key Facts
The Houthis, backed by Iran, are moving closer to the Bab al-Mandab Strait, an important route for global trade and Saudi oil exports.
Oil prices rose after the Houthis captured a strategic coastal city in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia asked President Trump for permission to strike Houthi targets, but did not request U.S. troops.
The U.S. has about 200 military personnel in Saudi Arabia providing non-combat support.
U.S. Central Command’s head traveled to Saudi Arabia for urgent talks amid the conflict escalation.
Riyadh previously handled the Houthis alone but is now seeking more U.S. help as fighting intensifies.
The Trump administration wants to focus on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz and avoid opening a new military front.
The U.S. emphasizes protecting free passage in the Red Sea while supporting regional partners to manage the conflict.
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A black silk dress worn by Princess Diana in 1994, known as the "revenge dress," is going up for auction on December 9. The dress became famous after Diana wore it the same night a documentary aired where Prince Charles admitted to adultery.
Key Facts
Princess Diana wore the black silk evening dress to a London party in 1994, designed by Christina Stambolian.
The dress got the nickname "revenge dress" because Diana wore it after a difficult moment in her marriage.
Sotheby's auction house expects the dress to sell for up to $300,000 (£220,000).
This is the first time the dress is being auctioned since 1997, when Diana sold many of her dresses for charity.
Diana chose the dress at the last minute and styled it with royal jewelry, a black clutch, and black shoes.
The vintage Jaguar car she arrived in at the event sold earlier in 2023 for £66,250.
Other items from Diana’s wardrobe have sold for high prices, like her sweater selling for £920,000 in 2023.
The dress is seen as a symbol of Diana taking control of her own story during a challenging time.
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Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim is visiting Europe to attend a democracy conference in Italy. Her visit is rare because officials of her rank usually avoid such trips due to pressure from China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory.
Key Facts
Hsiao Bi-khim is attending the Ventotene Conference for Freedom and Democracy in Italy.
She is traveling with Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung.
Taiwan has no formal diplomatic relations with Italy or most European countries.
The European Parliament’s vice president said Hsiao’s visit was kept secret to protect her from pressure or intimidation.
The conference focuses on defending democracy and freedom.
China claims Taiwan as one of its provinces, but Taiwan is self-governed and denies this claim.
Oleksandra Matviichuk, a Nobel Peace Prize winner from Ukraine, will also participate in the conference.
Hsiao previously spoke at a European summit focused on China last November.
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Three Hong Kong activists who organized yearly events to remember the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown were sentenced to prison, with terms up to seven years. They were convicted under Hong Kong’s national security law for encouraging actions against the government.
Key Facts
The activists are Lee Cheuk-yan (69), Chow Hang-tung (41), and Albert Ho (74).
Lee and Chow were convicted of inciting others to subvert state power; Ho pleaded guilty.
Lee received seven years in prison; Chow got seven years and three months; Ho was sentenced to five years.
The national security law in Hong Kong, introduced in 2020, bans many acts seen as opposing the state.
Annual vigils commemorating the Tiananmen crackdown were banned in 2020, citing COVID-19 measures.
The Hong Kong Alliance, a pro-democracy group behind the vigils, was fined HK$1.5 million ($191,000).
The Tiananmen crackdown involved Chinese troops suppressing pro-democracy protests in 1989, with a disputed death toll.
Authorities say the national security law maintains stability; critics say it limits freedoms in Hong Kong.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India to attend a BRICS summit focused on ongoing wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, as well as economic challenges. Leaders including India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are meeting to discuss these issues amid expanding membership and complex international tensions.
Key Facts
Putin landed in New Delhi ahead of the BRICS summit, which includes 11 member countries.
The BRICS group originally included Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa but has expanded to include Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
The summit will focus on conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, and economic concerns.
Iranian President Pezeshkian is visiting India for the first time in eight years, highlighting the summit’s focus on the Middle East.
India maintains friendly relations with both Iran and Israel while balancing its ties with the US.
India relies on Russia for energy supplies amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is visiting India for the first time since 2019, amid cautious improvements in relations between the two countries.
BRICS foreign ministers could not agree on a joint statement during a May meeting, showing internal divisions over conflicts.
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Daniel Billings was sentenced to 28 years in jail for the murder of his ex-girlfriend, Molly Ticehurst, in New South Wales, Australia. Billings killed Ticehurst in a brutal stabbing attack after she reported sexual assault allegations against him to the police.
Key Facts
Daniel Billings stabbed Molly Ticehurst 15 times at her home in Forbes on April 22, 2024.
He was sentenced by Justice Natalie Adams, with a non-parole period of 20 years.
Billings had previously threatened to kill Ticehurst after their relationship ended in December 2023.
Ticehurst had reported Billings to police for sexual assault, stalking, and intimidation.
Billings was out on bail for assault charges when he committed the murder.
The judge said the attack was motivated by revenge and extreme hatred.
Billings pleaded guilty to murder after legal negotiations lasting over 500 days.
The case highlighted issues around domestic and gender-based violence in Australia.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian are attending an 11-member BRICS summit in New Delhi, India. The summit will focus mainly on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and economic issues affecting the member countries.
Key Facts
The BRICS summit is held in India with 11 member countries, including Russia, China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are key topics at the summit.
Putin met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi; Xi Jinping is also expected to meet Modi during the two-day event.
This is Xi Jinping's first visit to India since 2019, marking a slow improvement in India-China relations after border conflicts.
The expanded BRICS group has members with differing views on recent conflicts, causing challenges in united decision-making.
Iran’s President Pezeshkian is visiting India for the first time and will discuss Middle East issues.
India seeks to balance its relations with countries involved in these conflicts, including Russia, Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Security is tight in New Delhi for the summit, and locals have been asked to cooperate with officials.
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Brazil’s Supreme Court canceled its meetings for two days because of conflicts and questions about corruption involving some judges. The court is divided over whether to investigate one judge suspected of improper actions tied to a major banking scandal. These court problems come at a tense time before Brazil’s October elections.
Key Facts
The Supreme Court canceled sessions two days in a row, which is unusual.
Chief Justice Luiz Edson Fachin postponed sessions until the following Tuesday.
One justice, Andre Mendonca, released police documents showing a banker seeking advice from another justice, Alexandre de Moraes.
De Moraes has handled major cases, including one against former President Jair Bolsonaro.
Mendonca, appointed by Bolsonaro, faces accusations from de Moraes of abusing power.
The conflict relates to the Banco Master scandal, where the bank defrauded investors of over $7 billion.
The Banco Master scandal has political ties, involving members of Bolsonaro’s family and lawmakers.
Police recently raided locations linked to the Banco Master case, including people involved in a film about former President Bolsonaro.
The turmoil could impact Brazil’s upcoming presidential elections between Lula da Silva and Bolsonaro’s son, Senator Flavio Bolsonaro.
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