9/11 victims honoured at Republican midterm convention in Dallas

Emergency responders and military personnel held a moment of tribute at the Republican Party's midterm convention in Dallas on Thursday, honouring those killed in the 11 September 2001 attacks. The usually lively crowd at the American Airlines Center fell silent as an honour guard performed a bell salute. The gathering, held the day before the 25th anniversary of the attacks, drew thousands of attendees pledging support for GOP candidates ahead of the upcoming midterm elections, which will shape the composition of Congress for the remainder of President Donald Trump's term.

Ceremonies across the country

Trump and Vice President JD Vance are due to visit the sites of the 2001 attacks on Friday, with Trump expected to speak at the Pentagon. In New York, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum is holding a ceremony at which victims' families will read aloud the names of the 2,983 people killed in the 2001 attacks and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. For the first time, organisers will add a seventh moment of silence to honour those who died from health effects linked to 9/11, in addition to the six traditionally observed.

Earlier this week, Trump posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country's highest civilian honour, to Welles Crowther, a 24-year-old equities trader and volunteer firefighter from New York who died helping people escape the World Trade Center's South Tower.

On Wednesday, thousands of illuminated drones formed the shape of the Twin Towers over New York in an art display called "2,977 Lights Over New York Harbor," with each drone representing one of the lives lost. US Transport Secretary Sean Duffy described it as a breathtaking tribute to the country's resilience.

International figures also expressed solidarity. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the attacks had changed the course of history and reaffirmed Europe's commitment to strong ties with the United States. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the city stood with New York "with love and solidarity."