Guterres Calls for New Global Order as Power Shifts

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a major overhaul of the international system, saying the institutions created after the Second World War must change to reflect the growing economic and geopolitical influence of emerging economies. Speaking to leaders at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Sunday, Guterres said the world of today is fundamentally different from that of 1945 and that global institutions must reflect current economic, demographic and geopolitical realities.

“Today’s economic, demographic and geopolitical realities are not those of 1945,” Guterres said. “Our institutional structures must reflect it.”

He said the countries represented at the summit reflected the changing balance of global power and pointed to the emergence of an increasingly multipolar world. Guterres argued that multipolarity can bring greater balance and equity to international institutions, but said that would require reforms to bodies including the UN Security Council and the Bretton Woods institutions.

The UN chief outlined four priorities for what he described as inclusive global growth: financing, technology, climate justice and peace. On development financing, Guterres said developing countries need substantial international support to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. He urged multilateral development banks to become “bigger, better and bolder” to help meet the scale of financing required. Turning to artificial intelligence, he warned that the benefits of the technology remain concentrated among a relatively small number of companies and countries.

“Unchecked, the AI divide will widen every other divide — in income, in opportunity, in security, and in sovereignty,” Guterres warned.

Climate change was another major focus of his address. Guterres pointed to extreme heat, melting glaciers, wildfires and devastating floods as signs of the worsening climate crisis and warned that a stronger El Niño could make conditions even more difficult as the world approaches the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold above pre-industrial levels.

He called on wealthy nations to honor existing climate-finance commitments, including increased adaptation financing and stronger support for countries facing loss and damage. He also criticized the exploitation of critical minerals, calling for an end to what he described as “plundering.”

On peace and security, Guterres highlighted conflicts and crises in Gaza, the wider Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan. He urged countries to uphold the UN Charter, including the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity and the peaceful settlement of disputes. Guterres said reforming the international system should be viewed as a shared responsibility rather than a concession to emerging powers.

“As we move irreversibly to a multipolar world, all countries must work to strengthen and safeguard a multilateral system that delivers for all with the United Nations at its centre,” he said.

The BRICS summit, hosted by India, brought together leaders of major emerging economies and senior international officials as discussions focused on global governance, economic cooperation, development, technology, climate change and international peace and security.




Iran Says Hormuz Will Remain Closed Amid Stalled Diplomacy

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Iran has said the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz will remain closed despite efforts to revive regional diplomacy, as a planned meeting between Iran and Gulf states was postponed and concerns over global energy supplies continued to grow.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said an agreement reached with Oman over arrangements for maritime traffic through the strait would not mean the waterway would be reopened. Tehran has linked any reopening to the United States returning to commitments made under an earlier peace understanding.

The planned meeting in Oman, which was expected to bring together Iran, Iraq and Gulf Arab states to discuss navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, was postponed on Monday. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said the delay was intended to allow more time to build consensus among the participating countries.

The diplomatic setback comes as tensions around the region’s major energy routes continue to rise. Shipping traffic through Hormuz has fallen sharply, with only a small number of commodity vessels recorded passing through the waterway over the weekend, well below the recent daily average.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, carrying a significant share of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. Disruption to the route has already contributed to a sharp increase in oil prices, with Brent crude rising above $107 a barrel on Monday.

Iran has also warned vessels that violate its maritime protocols. Its Strait Authority issued an updated list of 77 vessels accused of violating Iranian rules and warned that sanctioned ships could face penalties including fines, detention or confiscation.

The stalled diplomacy has increased fears that the disruption could persist, putting further pressure on global energy markets, shipping costs and economies dependent on Gulf oil and gas.




Nearly 86,000 Flee Yemen Fighting: UN

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — Nearly 86,000 people have fled their homes in Yemen as fighting between government forces and Iran-backed Houthi rebels intensifies, the United Nations said, citing displacement figures from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

IOM said 85,818 people had been displaced by the renewed fighting, including 82,164 since the beginning of September alone. The latest wave of displacement has followed intensified hostilities along Yemen’s western coast and in parts of Taiz and Al-Hodeidah. Taiz has emerged as one of the areas hardest hit by the renewed fighting, with about 9,280 households—nearly 56,000 people—displaced, according to IOM figures.

The escalation comes as the Houthis advance along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, raising fears of a wider conflict and further civilian displacement. The Iran-backed group has made gains in areas near the strategic port of Mocha and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The Bab el-Mandeb connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is one of the world’s most important maritime routes. Any prolonged disruption in the area could affect international shipping, global trade and energy supplies.

The humanitarian crisis is also spilling beyond Yemen’s borders. More than 2,000 Yemenis fleeing the violence have reached Djibouti by sea, according to IOM. The crossings add another layer of danger for people already displaced by the conflict.

IOM Director General Amy Pope warned that behind the displacement figures are families who have repeatedly lost their homes and livelihoods. Many people fleeing the latest violence are crossing the sea with little more than what they can carry because they have few remaining options for safety.

Yemen has endured more than a decade of conflict since the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. A UN-brokered truce in 2022 brought a period of relative calm and largely halted major fighting, but it expired after six months without producing a lasting political settlement.

The renewed offensive has raised fears that Yemen could once again descend into prolonged large-scale warfare. Humanitarian agencies have warned that continued fighting and repeated displacement will put additional pressure on families already struggling with poverty, food insecurity and limited access to basic services.

With tens of thousands of people newly displaced and thousands more crossing the sea to Djibouti, the latest escalation threatens to deepen one of the world’s longest-running humanitarian crises.




Middle East War Threatens Global Oil Supplies as Attacks Intensify

Shibbir Ahmed, NEW YORK — The escalating war in the Middle East is threatening to deepen disruptions to global oil supplies as fresh attacks target shipping and energy infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

A vessel was struck by a projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, forcing its crew to evacuate after a fire broke out, according to the British maritime security agency UKMTO. An Iranian commercial vessel was also hit off Iran’s coast, killing one person and injuring four others, further raising concerns about the safety of commercial shipping in the region.

The latest incidents came after Saudi Arabia shut down its major East-West oil pipeline following a drone attack. The pipeline, which normally carries millions of barrels of crude per day to the Red Sea, has served as a critical alternative route while shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been heavily disrupted.

Reuters reported Sunday that the pipeline outage could threaten as much as 4% of global oil supply if it is not restored within days. Saudi Arabia has not provided a detailed timeline for repairs, while traders and oil buyers have offered varying estimates for how long the disruption could last.

The supply concerns are being compounded by growing instability around another major maritime chokepoint, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen have advanced along the Red Sea coast, increasing the risk of further disruption to oil and commercial shipping routes.

Global oil markets have already reacted sharply to the worsening situation. Brent crude has moved above $100 a barrel, while fuel prices have climbed as traders assess the possibility of prolonged disruptions to supplies from the Middle East. Reuters reported that U.S. diesel prices have also reached record levels.

The International Energy Agency has warned that global oil supply could decline by about 5.7 million barrels per day, or 6%, in 2026 because of the continuing conflict and disruptions in the Gulf. Saudi oil production has also fallen sharply from earlier levels.

The developments have raised fears that a prolonged conflict could push energy prices even higher, increasing transportation and production costs and adding to inflationary pressures around the world.

Diplomatic efforts to ease the crisis are continuing, but negotiations involving Iran and Gulf states over safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz have faced delays. Iran has indicated that reopening the waterway would require concessions from the United States.

With both the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb facing heightened security risks, global energy markets are increasingly vulnerable to further attacks. Any prolonged disruption at both routes could have consequences well beyond the Middle East, affecting fuel prices, shipping costs, inflation and economic growth worldwide.




Houthis Claim Attack on Saudi Military Base as Yemen Fighting Intensifies

DUBAI: Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Sunday claimed they had launched a ballistic missile and drone attack on a Saudi military base as fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces intensified.

The Houthis said the attack targeted a military base in Saudi Arabia’s Sharurah area, according to reports. They described the operation as a response to Saudi airstrikes on Houthi-held areas of Yemen and warned of further attacks if the strikes continue.

The latest escalation comes as Houthi forces have made significant advances along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, including moves around the strategically important Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Saudi Arabia has carried out airstrikes in an effort to halt the Houthi advance, while Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have launched counteroffensive operations.

The renewed fighting has raised concerns over regional stability and the security of the Bab al-Mandeb, a vital maritime chokepoint connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. The escalation is also contributing to wider concerns over global energy supplies and shipping routes.

The Houthis’ claim of the Saudi base attack has not been independently verified, and Saudi authorities have not immediately confirmed the full extent of the reported damage or casualties. Reports, however, indicate that the conflict is entering a more dangerous phase as fighting intensifies across Yemen.




UN Chief Calls for Peace in Gaza, Ukraine and Sudan

Shibbir Ahmed, UN, New York: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for peace and an end to conflicts from Gaza and the wider Middle East to Ukraine and Sudan, warning that the world urgently needs greater international cooperation to address escalating crises.

Speaking at the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on Sunday, Guterres said conflicts around the world continue to cause immense suffering and instability, underscoring the need for countries to work together to promote peace and resolve disputes through diplomacy.

He highlighted the devastating humanitarian situation in Gaza and other conflict zones, while also pointing to the wars in Ukraine and Sudan as major challenges facing the international community. Guterres said the international community must not allow ongoing conflicts to become normalized and stressed the importance of collective efforts to achieve lasting peace.

His remarks came as world leaders gathered for the BRICS Summit, where global security, economic cooperation and major international crises were among the key issues under discussion. The UN chief has repeatedly called for an immediate end to violence in conflict zones and urged world powers to strengthen diplomatic efforts to protect civilians and uphold international law.




America Marks 25 Years Since 9/11

Shibbir Ahmed, Ground Zero, New York — The United States on Friday marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with memorial ceremonies in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania, while the release of newly declassified CIA intelligence records renewed attention on what U.S. officials knew about al-Qaida and Osama bin Laden before the attacks. Nearly 3,000 people were killed when 19 al-Qaida hijackers seized four commercial passenger aircraft and carried out coordinated attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Virginia. United Airlines Flight 93 crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers attempted to regain control of the aircraft.

At Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan, relatives of victims gathered for the annual memorial ceremony and read the names of those killed. The observance began with a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., the time American Airlines Flight 11 struck the World Trade Center’s North Tower. Vice President JD Vance attended the New York ceremony alongside former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Joe Biden. The gathering brought together current and former national leaders as families commemorated those who died a quarter-century ago.

The ceremony included additional moments of silence marking the attacks on the South Tower, the Pentagon and Flight 93. This year, organizers also included a seventh moment of silence for people who subsequently died from illnesses associated with exposure to toxic materials at the World Trade Center site.

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum said the commemoration remains centered on the victims and their families, with the names of those killed read during the ceremony. The annual Tribute in Light is also scheduled to illuminate the New York skyline Friday evening.

Trump Attends Pentagon Ceremony

President Donald Trump marked the anniversary at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, where American Airlines Flight 77 crashed after being hijacked. The attack killed 184 people at the Pentagon and aboard the aircraft. Trump attended the ceremony with First Lady Melania Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Senior military and government officials also participated in the remembrance.

The Pentagon ceremony focused on the victims and the military personnel, civilian employees and others who lost their lives in the attack. Trump and Hegseth also linked the events of September 11 to current U.S. national-security policy and the country’s military role overseas. Arlington County and other communities in Virginia also held local commemorations honoring residents, first responders and others connected to the Pentagon attack.

Flight 93 Remembered in Pennsylvania

In Shanksville, Pennsylvania, families and visitors gathered at the Flight 93 National Memorial to commemorate the 40 passengers and crew members who died when the hijacked aircraft crashed into a field. The passengers had learned through telephone calls that other hijacked aircraft had struck the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and attempted to take control of Flight 93. The plane crashed before reaching its intended target. The Pennsylvania observance included the reading of the passengers’ and crew members’ names and a wreath-laying ceremony.

CIA releases 71 intelligence reports

The 25th anniversary also brought a significant new development in Washington. The Central Intelligence Agency released 71 intelligence reports related to the period before and immediately after the September 11 attacks. The collection includes 70 reports prepared before the attacks and one report dated September 12, 2001. The documents were prepared for the President’s Daily Brief and were provided to Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush and senior administration officials.

The documents show that U.S. intelligence agencies had been tracking bin Laden and al-Qaida for years before the attacks. A February 1998 report warned about bin Laden’s interest in obtaining chemical, biological and nuclear materials. Other reports discussed his growing network, his activities in Afghanistan and the Taliban’s reluctance to surrender him.

A September 1998 intelligence report described a possible al-Qaida plan involving an explosive-laden aircraft and identified Washington as a preferred target. Later reports discussed possible hijackings and surveillance of locations in the United States.

An August 2001 President’s Daily Brief, already publicly known as “Bin Ladin Determined To Strike in US,” warned of suspicious activity in the United States consistent with preparations for hijackings or other attacks. The newly released collection provides additional surrounding intelligence records from that period.

The documents remain partly redacted, and officials said the release does not fundamentally overturn the established historical account of the attacks. Instead, the records provide additional detail about the intelligence available to U.S. officials before September 11.

The 9/11 Commission previously concluded that failures involving intelligence sharing, management, policy and the ability to interpret the available information contributed to the government’s inability to prevent the attacks.

New records revive questions about Ground Zero exposure

In New York, the anniversary has also brought renewed attention to the long-term health consequences of the attacks. Thousands of firefighters, police officers, emergency workers, construction workers, residents and others who were exposed to the dust and debris around the World Trade Center site have developed illnesses associated with the disaster.

The FDNY has continued adding the names of members who died from illnesses linked to their work at Ground Zero. More than 600 firefighters have died from 9/11-related illnesses, according to department figures cited in anniversary coverage.

The city has also begun releasing large collections of records concerning its response to the World Trade Center disaster, including documents related to air quality and the handling of information about environmental hazards after the attacks. The records have renewed questions about what officials knew about the risks in Lower Manhattan and when that information was communicated to residents and workers.

A continuing national security legacy

The attacks prompted major changes in U.S. national security policy. Congress created the Department of Homeland Security, federal agencies expanded counterterrorism operations and intelligence-sharing systems were reorganized. Airport security procedures were substantially expanded, while Congress approved new surveillance authorities.

The attacks also led to the U.S. military campaign in Afghanistan against al-Qaida and the Taliban. The United States later invaded Iraq in 2003, beginning two wars that became central to American foreign policy for the following two decades.

The wars resulted in the deaths of thousands of U.S. military personnel and large numbers of civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq. The post-9/11 period also produced prolonged debates over detention, interrogation, surveillance, civil liberties and the balance between national security and individual rights.

Impact on Muslim and South Asian Americans

The attacks also had significant consequences for Muslim, Arab and South Asian communities across the United States. In the years following September 11, members of those communities faced hate crimes, discrimination, profiling and increased scrutiny. At the same time, Muslim and South Asian Americans have become an increasingly visible part of American civic, political and professional life. The 25th anniversary has therefore prompted communities across the country to remember both the victims of the attacks and the broader social consequences that followed.

Texas and communities across the country

The anniversary was not limited to New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania. Communities across the United States held ceremonies, vigils, memorial services and events honoring victims and first responders. In Houston, an interfaith remembrance brought together volunteers who read the names of those killed on September 11 alongside names associated with the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The event reflected a broader effort in some communities to discuss both the attacks and the consequences of the U.S. response. Other communities organized stair climbs, flag displays and local memorial ceremonies, often focusing on residents who died in the attacks or first responders who later became ill.

A 25-year transition

The anniversary comes as the United States enters a period in which a growing portion of the population has no personal memory of September 11. People born after the attacks now make up a significant share of the American population. For victims’ relatives, survivors and first responders, however, the events remain personal rather than historical. At Ground Zero, in Arlington and at Shanksville, the ceremonies continued to place individual victims at the center of the commemoration.

The newly released intelligence documents added another dimension to this year’s anniversary by providing additional evidence of the warnings available to U.S. officials before the attacks.

The records do not offer a simple explanation for why the attacks were not prevented. They instead add to an extensive historical record showing that U.S. agencies had identified bin Laden and al-Qaida as serious threats but failed to translate available intelligence into effective action against the specific plot.

Twenty-five years after September 11, the United States is therefore commemorating the victims while continuing to examine the decisions, intelligence failures, policies and human consequences associated with the attacks and their aftermath.




Houthis Seize Strategic Red Sea Island, Raising Global Trade Risks

Shibbir Ahmed, NEW YORK — Iran-aligned Houthi forces have seized the strategic Mayun Island at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, tightening their grip around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and raising fresh concerns over global shipping and energy supplies.

The Houthis also took control of Yemen’s Red Sea port city of Mokha on Thursday and have advanced along the coast toward strategic islands, according to Reuters and the Associated Press. The developments represent the group’s most significant territorial gains since a 2022 truce largely halted Yemen’s civil war.

Mayun Island, also known as Perim, sits in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime chokepoint connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. About 12% of global goods normally pass through the waterway, making any prolonged disruption a potential threat to international trade.

The latest Houthi advance comes as shipping through the nearby Strait of Hormuz has already been severely disrupted by the wider Middle East conflict. Saudi Arabia has increasingly relied on the Red Sea route to move oil after traffic through Hormuz became heavily restricted.

The potential loss of secure access to both major maritime corridors has heightened concerns among energy traders and shipping companies. Reuters reported that Saudi crude production fell to about 6 million barrels per day in August, its lowest level in more than three decades, partly because of disruptions linked to attacks on shipping around the Bab el-Mandeb.

Oil markets have responded sharply to the growing risks. Brent crude rose above $100 a barrel this week, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude also crossed the $100 threshold as traders assessed the possibility of further supply disruptions.

Saudi Arabia has responded to the Houthi advance with military action. A Houthi-controlled broadcaster reported that Saudi forces carried out airstrikes on the airport in Mokha after the port city fell to the group. There were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage.

The escalation has also raised fears of a renewed wider conflict inside Yemen. More than 46,000 people have fled their homes since the latest fighting began, according to the U.N. migration agency, while Yemen’s internationally recognized government has indicated that it intends to launch a counteroffensive to recover territory captured by the Houthis.

For international shipping, the main concern is whether the Houthis will use their new positions to further restrict commercial traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb. Shipping through the waterway had already fallen substantially after Houthi attacks on commercial vessels beginning in late 2023, prompting many shipping companies to reroute vessels around Africa.

With both the Bab el-Mandeb and Strait of Hormuz facing serious security challenges, businesses are preparing for potentially higher transportation and energy costs. Any prolonged disruption could affect oil prices, shipping rates and the movement of goods between Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

The latest developments have therefore transformed the Houthi advance from a regional military development into a growing concern for global trade and energy markets.




25 Years After 9/11: Victims’ Names Read at Ground Zero

Shibbir Ahmed, New York: The United States is marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on Friday, with memorial ceremonies taking place across the country. In New York, victims’ relatives are gathering at the World Trade Center site to remember those who were killed in the attacks, while moments of silence mark key points in the timeline of that morning.

At the 9/11 Memorial in Lower Manhattan, family members are reading the names of their loved ones who died in the attacks. This year’s commemoration also includes a new moment of silence honoring people who were exposed to toxic dust and debris after the collapse of the World Trade Center and later died from related illnesses.

On September 11, 2001, al-Qaida terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes. Two planes crashed into the World Trade Center towers in New York, one struck the Pentagon near Washington and the fourth crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers and crew members fought the hijackers. A total of 2,977 people were killed in the attacks.

The consequences of the attacks have continued long after that day. Thousands of firefighters, police officers, emergency workers, volunteers and others who worked at or around Ground Zero were exposed to toxic substances. More than 600 New York City firefighters have since died from illnesses related to their 9/11 exposure, according to figures cited by Reuters.

Memorial ceremonies are also being held at the Pentagon and at the Flight 93 National Memorial near Shanksville. President Donald Trump is attending the Pentagon observance, while Vice President JD Vance and all four living former presidents are attending the New York commemoration, according to Reuters and the Associated Press.

New York also held commemorative events ahead of Friday’s anniversary. On Wednesday night, a special drone installation titled “2,977 Lights Over New York Harbor” illuminated the sky above New York Harbor. The display featured 2,977 lights, representing each person killed in the 2001 attacks, before forming the outline of the Twin Towers at full architectural scale. Organizers said the project was developed in collaboration with 9/11 family members, survivors and first responders.

The city’s commemoration will continue Friday evening with the annual “Tribute in Light.” Two powerful beams of light will rise from Lower Manhattan, creating a symbolic representation of the Twin Towers and honoring those who died in the attacks. The 9/11 Memorial has scheduled the installation from Friday evening through early Saturday morning.

Twenty-five years later, the anniversary remains more than a remembrance of those who died on September 11, 2001. It also reflects the continuing grief of victims’ families, the sacrifices of first responders and the lasting health consequences faced by thousands of people who worked at Ground Zero.

For New York and the nation, the 25th anniversary is a moment to remember the lives lost, honor those who responded and preserve the history of a day that profoundly changed the United States.




9/11 at 25: America Remembers the Fallen, Honors Their Legacy

Shibbir Ahmed, New York — The National September 11 Memorial & Museum will mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks with its annual commemoration ceremony in Lower Manhattan, bringing together victims’ families to remember the nearly 3,000 people killed in the 2001 attacks and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.

Family members will read aloud the names of the 2,983 men, women and children who lost their lives in the two attacks during the ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial. This year’s ceremony will include a new moment of silence honoring people who have died from illnesses or injuries linked to the September 11 attacks and their aftermath.

Seven moments of silence will be observed during the commemoration. They will mark the moments when the World Trade Center towers were struck and collapsed, as well as the attacks on the Pentagon and the crash of Flight 93. The additional moment of silence will follow the reading of the names and will become a permanent part of the annual ceremony.

The memorial said hundreds of thousands of people participated in rescue, recovery and relief operations following the attacks in New York City, Arlington, Virginia, and Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Many responders and civilians were exposed to hazardous materials and toxins at Ground Zero, contributing to chronic illnesses and deaths in the years since the attacks.

The 25th anniversary comes as more than 100 million Americans are too young to have a personal memory of September 11, according to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. The institution said its education programs have reached more than 20 million students as it works to preserve the history and lessons of the attacks for younger generations.

The annual Anniversary Digital Learning Experience will allow students and teachers around the world to commemorate the anniversary through a 30-minute film featuring first-person accounts of the attacks and their aftermath, followed by a live chat with museum staff.

The museum is also continuing its Never Forget Fund campaign, which supports 9/11 education and efforts to preserve the memory of those who were killed. Chairman Michael R. Bloomberg is matching donations to the fund dollar-for-dollar, up to $25 million.

The annual Tribute in Light installation will return at dusk on September 11, illuminating the New York City skyline with two beams of light representing the footprints of the World Trade Center towers. The lights will remain visible overnight before fading at dawn on September 12.

For the first time, the Tribute in Light will also be featured in a live national broadcast. At 8 p.m. Eastern Time, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, in partnership with Disney Entertainment Television, will present a one-hour special, “9/11 Tribute in Light: Live from Lower Manhattan.”

The program will be hosted by David Muir, Robin Roberts and Diane Sawyer and will feature performances by Lainey Wilson, Cyndi Lauper and John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting.

The museum will also open a new exhibition, “In Their Honor: 25 Years of 9/11-Inspired Service,” on September 12. The exhibition will explore the continuing legacy of service inspired by the attacks through firsthand accounts, artifacts and multimedia presentations.

Musical performances during the anniversary commemoration will include Grammy-winning cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Jennifer Nettles and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, along with musicians from the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Musica Reginae and The Harlem Chamber Players.

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum said it is also inviting journalists who covered the attacks and their aftermath to record and share their personal experiences as part of an effort to preserve the memories of those who witnessed one of the defining events of the 21st century.

The 25th anniversary commemoration is intended not only to remember those killed on September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993, but also to preserve the stories of courage, service, resilience and compassion that emerged in the aftermath of the attacks.