New York: New York on Friday marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with a solemn ceremony at Ground Zero and tight security.

US President Donald Trump did not attend the New York ceremony and instead paid tribute at the Pentagon. Vice President JD Vance and former presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Joe Biden were expected at Ground Zero.

Family members of the 2,977 victims read out their names during the ceremony. Bells were also rung to mark key moments of the attacks.

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the city’s first Muslim mayor, attended the event despite criticism from some right-wing groups.

Security was strengthened around the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, with police also deploying an anti-drone team. Officials said there was no specific threat to the gathering.

The attacks were carried out by 19 Al-Qaeda hijackers, who seized four planes. Two crashed into the World Trade Center, one hit the Pentagon and another crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

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More than 9,400 people have since died from illnesses linked to the attacks, according to a federal health programme.

A drone display featuring 2,977 lights was also held over New York Harbor to honour those who lost their lives.

Kathmandu: In a miraculous rescue, a six-year-old girl was pulled alive from beneath thick mud and debris in Nepal’s Rasuwa district, three days after devastating floods struck the region.

The girl was rescued from Timure village after floods caused by the overflowing Bhote Koshi River buried several areas under mud and debris.

Rescue personnel from the Armed Police Force were searching for survivors when they heard faint cries from beneath the ground.

The team immediately began digging and successfully rescued the girl alive. She was initially given treatment at the APF Border Outpost in Timure.

However, her condition later worsened, and doctors advised that she be shifted to a better medical facility.

Authorities arranged to airlift her to Kathmandu for advanced treatment. Bad weather and poor visibility delayed the helicopter operation on Friday evening.

Rescue teams kept the child stable until the weather improved on Saturday afternoon.

She was then airlifted to a hospital in Kathmandu, where she is currently receiving specialist treatment under close medical supervision.

A video of the dramatic rescue has gone viral on social media, with many people praising the Armed Police Force personnel for their tireless efforts.

Meanwhile, authorities are trying to trace the girl’s family and relatives. Nepal continues to face massive destruction following the devastating floods.

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Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said the reconstruction and rehabilitation work could cost billions of dollars.

According to rescue authorities, 675 bodies have been recovered so far, while more than 2,400 people are still reported missing.

The rescue of the young girl has brought a rare moment of hope amid the devastating flood disaster in Nepal.

Kathmandu: The death toll from the devastating floods near the Nepal-China border has risen to 626. More than 2,400 people are still missing, while over 4,400 people have been rescued so far.

The disaster was triggered by the collapse of a glacier near the Nepal-China border. Huge amounts of ice, rocks and debris flowed into the Lhende Khola River and caused flooding in the Bhotekoshi River.

The floods caused widespread destruction in Rasuwa district and nearby areas. Nepal Police confirmed that 626 people have lost their lives in the disaster.

The floods have also affected China, where seven people have reportedly died. More than 2,500 people are reported missing across Nepal and Tibet.

As rescue operations continue, an 11-member Indian team arrived in Nepal on Saturday, August 29. The team was sent following a request from the Nepal government.

The Indian team includes medical personnel and tunnel rescue experts. They will assist local authorities in the rescue operations in the severely affected areas.

The floods struck on Wednesday, August 26. The disaster caused extensive damage to houses, roads, bridges and hydropower infrastructure in Rasuwa and other parts of central Nepal.

Rescue teams are continuing their search for those who remain missing.

Initially, the Nepal government was reluctant to accept foreign assistance after the disaster. On Friday, August 28, the government said it was capable of handling the flood situation and requested financial assistance instead of immediate foreign aid.

However, Nepal later changed its decision following pressure from countries whose citizens were reported missing in the disaster. The government has now allowed teams and experts from India, China, Australia and South Korea to assist in rescue operations and forensic examinations.

Meanwhile, India has stepped up its humanitarian assistance to Nepal. At Nepal’s request, the Indian government has decided to send medical aid and engineering teams to help restore damaged infrastructure.

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The Ministry of External Affairs said preparations are also underway to provide additional humanitarian assistance.

Two Indian aircraft carrying relief materials have already reached Nepal. Another aircraft carrying additional supplies is expected to arrive soon.

India is also preparing to send a specialised tunnel rescue team. An assessment team will first visit the affected areas to study the situation.

Medical teams are also being sent to provide emergency assistance. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India is ready to provide all possible support to Nepal during the disaster.