The 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attack brought together US Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump in a moment of civility on Wednesday barely 10 hours after they had exchanged insults during their fiery debate presidential debate.
At the commemoration at Ground Zero here, the Vice President and the former President, who are locked in a tight race for the White House, shook hands with President Joe Biden and the Republican vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance looking on.
That was the second handshake and personal encounter, after having first met face-to-face at the debate in Philadelphia, and this time Trump smiled and gently patted Harris' hand with his left hand.
In a grim recall of the terrorist attack that had united a stunned citizenry on 9/11/2001, the four stood together as the ceremony began honouring the 2,977 victims with a pledge to never forget.
On that day, al-Qaida terrorists had driven two hijacked aircraft into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre, a symbol of America’s prowess in commerce, and another into the Pentagon, the citadel of US military might.
Relatives of the victims took turns reading the names of their loved ones in New York’s annual rite after a silver bell tolled.
Passengers on another hijacked plane resisted the terrorists and crashed the jet in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Biden and Harris traveled to the memorial there honouring the 97 passengers who died there.
Trump and Vance visited the site after the Democrats had left.
When Biden visited a fire station at Shanksville, a supporter of the former president handed him a red “Trump 2024” hat.
Sportingly, Biden took it and wore the hat of his nemesis, who had harsh words for him the previous night.
Deputy White House Press Secretary Andrew Bates posted on X, “At the Shanksville Fire Station, @POTUS [president of the US] spoke about the country’s bipartisan unity after 9/11 and said we needed to get back to that”.
Biden said in a message, “On this day 23 years ago, terrorists believed they could break our will and bring us to our knees. They were wrong. They will always be wrong. In the darkest of hours, we found light”.
CMs of Northeastern states condole demise of ex-PM Dr. Manmohan Singh
Chief Ministers of several northeastern states expressed their deep condolences over the death of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who died on Thursday at the AIIMS in Delhi at the age of 92.
Dr. Manmohan Singh, legendary economist and former PM, passes away
Former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, renowned economist and architect of India’s economic reforms, passed away on Thursday at the age of 92. He was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here following a deterioration in his health.
Minister Santana Chakma calls women to join SHGs to become self-reliant
The state industry and commerce minister Santana Chakma on Thursday inaugurated the closing ceremony of the 19th Regional Saras Fair here at Agartala Hapania International Fair Ground and urged upon the women to join Self Help Groups (SHGs) to become Atmanirbhar.
Minister Sudhangshu Das pitches for fishery and livestock rearing to become self-reliant; chairs review meeting
The state animal resource development department (ARDD) Sudhangshu Das on Thursday chaired a west Tripura district level review meeting on various developmental schemes under the SC Welfare, ARDD and Fishery department here in the conference hall of the District Magistrate of West Tripura district.
Tripura UPSC aspirant receives Lakshya-Chief Minister's Special Scholarship
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Thursday handed over Rs 5 lakh cheque to the Tripura’s UPSC aspirant Sagar Dutta Majumder as part of the Lakshya-Chief Minister's Special Scholarship.
Education and purity of thought vital for society: Tripura CM Manik Saha
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha today emphasized the importance of working for the welfare of people by removing mental impurities and fostering purity through education.
THRC orders probe into minor’s gang rape, seeks report by Jan 13
The Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC) has directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to investigate the gang rape of a minor girl and submit a detailed report by January 13, 2024. The report must also be shared with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
DoNER Ministry approves 86 projects worth Rs 1,970.54 crore for NE in 2024: Official
The Union Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) has approved 86 projects worth Rs 1,970.54 crore for the eight northeastern states in 2024, officials said on Thursday.