Ryder Cup washout as play is suspended after rain leaves course waterlogged

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By DAILY MAIL REPORTER


Damp: Europe's Martin Kaymer on the third hole during the opening round of the Ryder Cup in Newport


The huge build-up has seen the players serenaded by Katherine Jenkins and enjoy the company of royalty, but Britain's good old-fashioned weather put a stop to the Ryder Cup this morning.

Torrential rain left the manicured greens at Celtic Manor in South Wales drenched and play was halted after just two hours at 9.45am as the ground became utterly waterlogged.

Groundstaff had battled to keep the course playable as the world's finest golfers began to tee off but despite their best efforts, they had to troop back in before mid-morning.


Fruitless: Ground staff desperately try to clear water from the fairways at Celtic Manor


There was laughter amid the disappointment as Europe Ross Fisher's first tee shot ended with the ball caught in an umbrella - the first time ever it is thought to have happened in a top event.

The suspension will be a huge blow to the tens of thousands of fans who have flocked to the Welsh course to witness the clash between the cream of the golfing circuit.


Still smiling: Phil Mickelson's wife Amy (right) shelters under an umbrella


Wilting: Five men dressed as daffodils look less than sunny as they watch from the stands


Muffled up: U.S. captain Corey Pavin's wife Lisa and other WAGs gather in the rain


There was already standing water on the first fairway before the opening shots were struck at 7.45am and two more hours of rain left large puddles on the greens and the bunkers.

Tiger Woods was among the players to set out this morning but they all looked miserable as they huddled under umbrellas, heavily wrapped up in wet weather gear.

Europe captain Colin Montgomerie had rain pouring down his face as he tried to keep his team on track in the early stages of what is the most fascinating competition in golf's calendar.


Still stylish: Two U.S. wags on the fairway before play was suspended


Support: Corey Pavin's wife Lisa and Phil Mickelson's wife Amy both sported dark hats to keep the rain off


His deputy Darren Clarke said this morning: 'It's a tough call with all these people here and everyone watching but I think it's the right call. It's going to be a little while before we're back out here.'

Teammate Luke Donald added: 'If it was an ordinary event, we would not even have started. It's a shame but there is nothing we can do about it.

'Most of the fairways were all casual [under casual water] and if you had to drop it, it would be in the rough.'

Lee Westwood said: 'It's most disappointing for everyone associated with Celtric Manor and the people of Wales, They've been waiting 10 years and the weather has spoilt it a bit.'


Battling the conditions: Europe's Ross Fisher in action in the rain this morning


Caught: Ross Fisher reaches out to collect his ball after it got stuck in a spectator's umbrella


Covered up: Wags of the European players were top to toe in wet weather gear as they drover around


Gloomy: Grey skies darken the course as USA's Dustin Johnson hits the first ball


There seemed to be little prospect of a swift resumption in play with an announcement scheduled for noon, by which time it is hoped the fairways might have dried out slightly.


It could be the start of a very difficult weekend, with forecasters predicting rain for much of Britain throughout today and into Saturday and Sunday.

A Monday finish for the first time in the history of the contest has long been mooted, and European Tour chief referee John Paramor admitted it was part of a back-up plan.

He said: 'We do have some spare time on Sunday morning -a bout four hours as a back-up, and we do have Monday as a contingency.'

'The forecast is for the rain finishing early afternoon and we feel at midday we will have a better idea of when that rain will be through.

'This morning was pretty rough but all the players were keen to get going, so we did. It deteriorated to such an extent that I contacted both captains and said 'What do you think?'

'They both said 'It's your call' and I said I was not happy about continuing play. It had deteriorated to such an extent that it was not really fair.'


Soggy: Europe captain Colin Montgomerie is literally dripping with rain (left) and taking cover (right)


No let-up: Montgomerie gazes at the skies as rain pummels down during the first fourball


It never rains...: Tiger Woods looks dejected as he takes cover under an umbrella


In early play, Westwood and German Martin Kaymer were in the first group of fourballs and reached the fifth hole before play was suspended.


Taking a break: Paddy Harrington relaxing in the changing room


They pulled ahead of veteran Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson, as did Northern Irish pair Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy against Stewart Cink and Matt Kuchar.

Tiger Woods, playing in the third group, made it to the third hole with Steve Stricker. They are facing colourful dresser Ian Poulter and rookie Ross Fisher.

Fourth pairing Luke Donald and Padraig Harrington are taking on U.S. newcomers Jeff Overton and Bubba Watson.

Europe are 8/13 favourites to win back the trophy they lost at Valhalla two years ago and stormed into an early lead thanks to Colin Montgomerie's early heavyweights.
Montgomerie is desperate to clinch a win for Europe after defeat in Louisville under Nick Faldo's leadership two years ago.

For the man who has an unbeaten record in singles matches for eight appearances in the Ryder Cup, it is hoped he can inspire Europe to similar heights - if the weather breaks, of course...


Early pacesetter: Europe's Graeme McDowell celebrates going one up in the fourth in the rain


Montgomerie actually warned about holding the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor at this time of year, two years ago.

When fog held up the start of the Welsh Open at the same spot in 2008, he said: 'There's a river here and the temperature between rivers and land causes fog. There could be delays here.

'We have a problem obviously here and we just pray that Him upstairs is good to us.'
Asked whether the match should last four days and start on a Thursday, he said: 'I think everybody benefits. It's an extra day of advertising, an extra day of television.

'It would make sense really when you think about it. I think it's almost got to that stage where two rounds a day, we all seem to be rushing around, packing it in, for what reason, really?

'I've been running around changing rooms in Ryder Cups and trying to get new clothes and stuff and socks and shoes after I've been soaked in the morning and having to do it again in the afternoon. For what reason?'

The 2006 match in Ireland had some torrential rain, but it never suspended play.
'We risked it in Ireland,' Montgomerie said. 'I was with (chief referee) John Paramor first out and he said 'this is 10 minutes away from stopping'.'

The last time a match was badly affected was Valderrama in 1997, but it still managed to finish on Sunday evening - just as the heavens opened again.

The 1983 Ryder Cup was in mid-October, but that was Florida. You have to go back to 1965 at Royal Birkdale for the last match to be in October on this side of the Atlantic.






source: dailymail
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Stray Afghan dog that saved British soldiers by sniffing out roadside bombs rewarded with new home in UK

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By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

On Patrol: Brin in action in Helmand Province before he was flown back to the UK


A stray desert dog who saved soldiers' lives by sniffing out deadly roadside bombs in Helmand has been given a new home in the UK after a campaign to fly him back.

Brin the Afghan Hound was first adopted by the Coldstream Guards at the beginning of the year after he wandered on to their Helmand base.

They handed Brin on to the Gurkha Rifles in May and he soon became so central to their mission the Taliban kidnapped him, prompting a daring raid to get him back.

Brin faced being left to the mercy of the militants when the battalion fly home next month and soldiers feared he could be killed in a revenge attack once they had gone.
But now he is settling into a life of comfort and security in the UK after campaigners raised £4,000 to bring him back.

The dog, which looks like a cross between a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and a Jack Russell, started following units on dangerous patrols.

Soldiers soon realised he had a natural gift for detecting deadly roadside bombs.
He would stand and bark at suspicious mounds, allowing them to avoid or destroy any explosive devices.

Now, Brin's future is secure after Captain Mark Townsend, who cared for him in Afghanistan, sent a rallying call back to his friends and family in England.

They raised the cash to fly the dog home. Teacher Sally Baldwin, 49, who led the fundraising together with animal rescue charity Nowzad, will give him a comfortable new home in the Sussex countryside once he has completed six months in quarantine.


New home: Brin the stray desert dog with new owner Sally Baldwin


She said: 'He has been back for a week and he is really tired after his 4,000 mile journey, but he's eating well.

'During his battle experience he learned to sleep while standing up. It's so moving when he dozes off and relaxes completely, seeing this adorable refugee dog safe at last. All the soldiers are thrilled he will be home when they get back.

'I know Mark is especially desperate to see him safe after all he has been through. It has been a huge ongoing operation to raise the money and arrange quarantine.

'But everyone agrees this dog is worth all the trouble. I've had a lot of animals but never one like Brin so I understand why they all loved him so much. There's something about him, it feels like he?s looking out for you. He's very special.

'Mark said he played a massive role in lifting morale among the troops as well as sniffing out bombs.'

In July Captain Townsend told the Mirror: 'He's a big morale booster. He's a reminder of our pets in the UK and it's nice to have a bit of a break once in a while and have something that's like a comfort from home.

'Brin was so effective at saving soldiers' lives, the Taliban suspected he was a specially-trained SAS dog.'

He was captured and held by the enemy, then dramatically rescued after Afghanistan Army commandos seized him back in a raid.

Life will be much more peaceful for Brin, named so because of his brindle colouring, once he relocates to the sedate Sussex countryside with Sally, her husband Ray and their menagerie of rescue pets.

Animal lover Captain Townsend could not offer him a home because of his deployments, but he can't wait to be reunited with the mutt when he gets home.

Sally said: 'Mark is already planning his visit to see Brin and he is absolutely thrilled. He says he owes me a pint for getting him to the UK .

'Brin is loved by so many people and will have lots of visits from his army pals which will no doubt delight him.'

She admits it will be not be easy for the dog to adjust to his new life and plans to help him settle in gradually.

She said: 'This is a dog who will have never seen grass, who it took the troops weeks to teach how to fetch a ball and who has lived all his life surrounded by the sound of gunfire.

'I know it will be difficult and I am prepared to provide the specialist care he will need. I live in a nice big house with a big garden and I am near plenty of lovely country fields so in time he will be a very happy dog.'


source: dailymail [endtext]

Hero pilot makes emergency landing at New York's JFK airport on ONE wheel

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Air drama: The Delta Airways passenger jet made a safe landing on the tarmac at JFK, despite its right landing gear becoming stuck


A pilot has been hailed a hero for landing a packed passenger jet on one wheel after its landing gear got stuck on its approach to New York's JFK airport.

A shower of sparks was seen as the plane touched down on the tarmac but all 60 passengers and four crew on the Delta Airlines flight escaped unharmed.

It is thought that the pilot had balanced the jet on its left wheel then slowly eased it on to its right wing to slow it down.

The relieved passengers were evacuated through the main door and were taken to the terminal where they were checked over and released shortly afterwards.


** See the terrifying video below ***


The incredible feat drew parallels with that of pilot Chesley Sullenberger who landed a passenger jet on the Hudson River last year when its engines failed, saving all 155 on board.

It was on Saturday night as the Delta Airlines flight 4951 was close to landing in White Plains, New York, when an indicator light in the cockpit went on, indicating the right landing wheel would not come down.

Immediately the pilot diverted to JFK because it has a longer runway and warned the 60 passengers and three crew: ‘Brace for landing’.


Terror: Sparks are seen from a passenger window as the plane touched down


He calmly told air traffic control that his landing gear would not come down then, referring to his flight number, said what could have been his last words: ‘4951 Roger and, uh better work’.

‘Heads down! Heads down!’ a flight attendant screamed as the CRJ 900 twin-engine jet slammed on the runway and slid to a stop, leaning to its right side.

Specially trained firefighters had been put on alert - but the pilot’s landing meant they were not needed.

All the passengers were taken to the terminal and checked over before being put on a bus for White Plains, but they were full of praise for the man who saved their lives.

'I've never prayed so hard in my whole life,' said Loretta Hill, 39, from Milford in Connecticut.

‘I was just crying and praying to God that we would be okay.

‘He must have balanced it on one wheel then eased it over to the right wing so he did a great job,’ said one man who was on board.

‘I knew there was a problem when we continued circling,’ said David Freda, 49.
‘At first, I was pretty nervous, no doubt about it. It's been a bit nerve-wracking. Everyone's okay.’

The plane had taken off from Atlanta and had been on a connecting flight for Delta operated by Atlantic Southeastern Airlines.

A Delta spokesman said that Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have been called to investigate.

It is not immediately clear what caused the accident, he added.




source: dailymail

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Sparkling Kelly Osbourne is the belle of the ball at PETA dinner... but bleary-eyed Pamela Anderson is the dog's dinner

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By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Belle of the ball: Kelly Osbourne and Pamela Anderson at PETA's 30th Anniversary Gala and Awards


Posing for pictures alongside a perfectly poised Kelly Osbourne did Pamela Anderson absolutely no favours last night.

The pair were photographed together at PETA's 30th Anniversary Gala and Humanitarian Awards.

Looking immaculate in a cutaway draped metallic silver dress, newly-svelte Kelly's glamorous look only served to highlight where a bleary-eyed Pamela was falling short.


Fab and drab: Kelly wowed while Pam disappointed at the annual event for the animal lovers charity


Kelly, 25, teamed her outfit with black platform heels, wearing her hair swept up in a chic side do, and looked the epitome of elegance.

Pamela Anderson on the other hand looked a lot less polished, wearing a loose-fitting and unflattering coral pink dress with clashing red shoes.

The 43-year-old Baywatch actress looked unkempt with messy hair and trashy-looking make-up.

She also wore sunglasses while on the red carpet at the event, held at the Palladium Theater, despite the fact it was dark outside, and looked sloppy as she posed for pictures with the a serene Kelly.


Stunning: Lea Michele won a humanitarian award at the event


The annual even was this year hosted by 30 Rock actor Alec Baldwin and celebrated the charities 30th year in business.

The animal-loving organisation marked the occasion with a luxurious dinner and awards ceremony which honoured high profile individuals and their charitable achievements.

Winners included director Eli Roth, actresses Olivia Munn, Anjelica Huston, Lea Michele, Eva Mendes and Joanna Krupa, rocker Dave Navarro and actor Kellan Lutz.

Also at the event was Sophia Bush, Jenna Dewan, Abbie Cornish and Cheryl Hines while Joaquin Phoenix and Casey Affleck also turned up for the festivities.


Other winners: Eva Mendes and Anjelica Huston both wore red to pick up their humanitarian awards






source: dailymail [endtext]

He squawked! Lorenzo the lookout parrot becomes a jailbird after he's arrested for warning drug cartel that police were on the way

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By DAVID GARDNER

Behind bars: Lorenzo the lookout parrot, who was tried to say: 'Run, run, the cat is going to get you!' every time police came near a drug cartel's hideout


Lorenzo the parrot is facing life behind bars in Colombia after being caught squawking on the police for a drug cartel.

Every time a police officer came close to the traffickers’ headquarters, the bird was trained to scream in Spanish: ‘Run, run, the cat is going to get you!’

Police trying to shut down gangs behind the lucrative drug route to the U.S. couldn’t work out at first how they launched raids only to find that the birds had flown the coop


I know why the caged bird sings: Lorenzo is now facing a life behind bars... but fortunately he is already used to that


But detectives finally got wise to the parrot. They sneaked past the loud-beaked lookout to find a hidden stash of weapons and marijuana at a safe house in Barranquilla.

Police also found two more specially-trained parrots.

‘We found a very interesting situation when we confiscated some exotic birds,’ said one Columbian police officer.

'Among them we have a parrot that alerted the people by saying run, run so they would run away before we could arrive.’

Animal officials said police had handed over as many as 1,000 parrots, many from the same coastal region, that had been taught to act as lookouts.

Baranquilla is Columbia's fourth largest city after the capital Bogota, Medellin and Cali as well as the most populated city on the country's Atlantic coast.


source: dailymail
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Who could dump poor Ginger? Dog's desperate chase after car as callous owner abandons her in field

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Abandoned: Ginger the dog was dumped in a field in Weymouth, Dorset after her owner took her for a walk


She thought they were going for a gentle walk in the field together.

But suddenly, inexplicably, Ginger's owner turned on his heel, ran back to the car and drove off, leaving the dog behind.

Terrified to see him disappearing, the Shetland-cross terrier chased the car as it pulled away. But, limping badly thanks to her overgrown claws, she had to stop.

Luckily for Ginger, staff at a nearby office block saw what had happened. They ran outside and took the distressed dog inside.

One took her to the vet to have her claws trimmed - which is what had been causing the limp and then she was collected by the council's dog warden team.

However, the scene was also captured on CCTV. So officials are also trying to trace the owner, in the hope that he can be prosecuted for his cruelty to the pet.

Steve Sudworth, who was working in the offices at British Marine Technology, in Weymouth, Dorset, explained how saw the man dump Ginger.

'I happened to see the man and dog walk towards the woods behind our building. After a few seconds I saw the man walking very fast back to the car and he jumped in.

'I thought he was going to shout for the dog but the car started reversing and pulled out of the car park fast.

'The dog tried to follow but couldn't because of the limp.'

The dog is being kept by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council. Chris Robertson, assistant dog warden, said: 'Ginger is a really nice dog, she has a lovely temperament.

'I don't know why anyone would just abandon her.'

If prosecuted, her owner could face six months in prison and/or £20,000 fine.


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Callous: Ginger's owner lets her out of the car after parking up


The pair can been seen on CCTV walking towards a field at the side of the car park


Ginger is left on the grass verge, while the owner prepares to drive off


Deserted: Ginger cuts a lonesome figure as she peers hopefully after her owner




source: dailymail

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Caught with his pants down, the TV newsreader who went live with no trousers

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By James White

And finally: The newsreader finishes his bulletin on Slovenian TV, to reveal he is without his trousers


It was the kind of stunt that wouldn't look out of place in the Will Ferrell TV news channel film Anchorman.

A newsreader, seemingly oblivious to the cameras still running, swivels in his chair to speak to an assistant.

However, the movement reveals to viewers that the man has presented the bulletin in just his underwear, with no trousers to be seen.
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The 17-second clip was posted from YouTube and taken from the credit sequence of the Slovenian programme 24UR.

The programme is aired on POP TV, a commercial channel popular in the tiny Eastern European country.

In Anchorman, Ferrell plays a popular yet hapless newsreader whose colleagues fiddle with the auto cue and even throw footballs during live broadcasts.


Funny guy: The newsman chats with a colleague but it is not known why he did it



source: dailymail

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The rippling New York building which looks like the set of movie Inception

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Rippling effect: The Beekman Tower in downtown Manhattan is the latest addition to the New York skyline


It looks like a scene from the movie Inception, where 'mind thief' Leonardo DiCaprio warps and reshapes buildings to show how you can control dreams.

But this rippling 76-storey megalith is actually a real-life building which stands in downtown Manhattan.

The Beekman Tower, which was designed by architect Frank Gehry, is the latest addition to the New York skyline and is set to be one of the city’s tallest buildings when it launches later this year.


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Eye sore: The building was designed by architect Frank Gehry and is 76 storeys high


Its undulating steel frame provides the illusion of movement, which is reminiscent of the transforming architecture in Christopher Nolan’s film which stars DiCaprio as a thief who extracts information from the subconscious mind of his victims while they dream.

The tower is situated south of City Hall Plaza and the Brooklyn Bridge and will consist of a public elementary school, luxury apartments, a space for New York downtown hospital and an underground public car park.

Gehry’s design was brought to life by New York developer Forest City Ratner.

The architect previously revealed that the design was inspired by the drapery in marble sculptures by17th-century Baroque artist Gianlorenzo Bernini.


False motion: The building's undulating steel frame provides the illusion of movement


Reminiscent: The transforming architecture in the movie Inception starring Leonardo DiCaprio


source: dailymail
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The shirt you spray on: For clothes that fit like a second skin, try instant fabric in a can

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By Tamara Cohen

Stage one: This might tickle a bit... Dr Torres spray paints the model's shoulder and torso. Both wear goggles to protect their eyes


Rummaging in a drawer, grabbing a T- shirt and slipping it over your head would certainly be simpler. But some of us are willing to put a little more effort into our wardrobes.

The result? A shirt that fits so snugly it looks as if it has been sprayed on to the body. Actually, it has.

Thanks to a liquid mixture made of cotton fibres we could soon be spraying ourselves into everything from T-shirts, dresses, trousers to swim-wear and hats.

Fabrican - literally fabric in an aerosol can - is the brainchild of Spanish designer Dr Manel Torres who has spent ten years working on his invention.

In a video demonstrating how it works, he sprays a blue and white T-shirt on to a model in just under 15 minutes.

Drying as soon as it hits his skin, the garment can be taken off, washed and re-worn.

Dr Torres teamed up with Paul Luckham, Professor of Particle Technology at Imperial College London, to create Fabrican, which consists of cotton fibres, polymers (the plastics which hold them together) and solvents which keep it in liquid form.


Stage two: Thank goodness I didn't ask for a suit... The fabric, drying fast, is already showing a couple of creases on the model's torso


Stage three: Plain white's so yesterday... Dr Torres decides to add a fetching splatter of blue to brighten things up a little


When you get bored with your creation it can be dissolved and the material used again to make something new or repair old designs.

Dr Torres said the idea was to be able to create clothes instantly and cheaply, all of which would be a perfect fit.

'I really wanted to make a futuristic, seamless, quick and comfortable material,' he said.

'To show science and technology can help fashion designers, I ended up returning to the principles of the earliest textiles such as felt, which were also produced by taking fibres and finding a way of binding them together without having to weave or stitch.'


Stage 4: A touch to the neckline shows how the fabric dies away from the body



Stage five: The shirt off my back... The garment can be taken off, washed and re-worn


Fabrican is still a couple of years from hitting the shelves.

Dr Torres is working on ways to create more forgiving shapes as not everyone likes their clothes clinging to every curve. He is also trying to minimise the distinct whiff of solvent about the garments.

And although some spray-on designs will be on show at London Fashion Week, the instant fabric could end up being used for everything from bandages to furniture upholstery.



source: dailymail
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'9/11 must not be a time for protest and division': Anger of victims' families after anniversary is overshadowed by rival demonstrations against WTC m

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By Mail Foreign Service

Differing opinions: Matt Sky, of Manhattan, supports the proposed mosque near Ground Zero. He had a heated debate with Rose Van Guilder, West Sayville, New York, and Lance Corey of Ossining, New York


Thousands gather at Ground Zero, Pennsylvania and the Pentagon

Police braced for violence as rival mosque protests are held in New York

Obama: 'We are not at war with Islam'

U.S. flags burnt in Afghanistan and Pakistan


Tensions flared in New York this afternoon as rival demonstrations over the Ground Zero mosque overshadowed a day of mourning to mark the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.

Two marches were taking place just a few blocks apart, one in support of the mosque and the other in protest against it.

The rival demonstrations began shortly after the families of 9/11 victims held moving ceremonies to remember loved ones killed in the atrocities nine years ago.

Many voiced their anger at the rival demonstrations and called called for ‘sombre reflection’ instead of what has become the most divided September 11 anniversary yet.


Clash: Supporters and opponents of the mosque held simultaneous marches in downtown Manhattan today. Predictably, tempers flared when the groups met and ploice were forced to break up many arguments


Shortly after the ceremonies, a large crowd of pro-mosque activists lined two blocks next to City Hall before marching to an area near Ground Zero.

Elizabeth Meehan, a 51-year-old Christian from Saratoga, New York, said: 'I'm really fearful of all of the hate that's going on in our country. People in one brand of Christianity are coming out against other faiths, and I find that so sad.'

'Muslims are fellow Americans; they should have the right to worship in America just like anyone else.'

The event was largely peaceful, except for occasional exchanges with anti-mosque passers-by.


Strong opposition: Americans travelled from across the country to participate at a rally against the mosque on the ninth anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attack on New York


One man walked by holding a poster that said, 'Stop Obama's Mosque,' while another held a more provocative sign with a Quran attached.

At the anti-mosque rally nearby, some participants wore clothing featuring stars and stripes, and some carried signs with messages including 'It stops here' and 'Never forgive, never forget, no WTC mosque.'

'My grandparents didn't expect special treatment. They didn't fly planes into buildings,' said Theresa Angelo, 57, from Queens.

'No other culture does that. This is hallowed ground. It's something like Gettysburg or Pearl Harbor. Why did they have to do it here? Be a little sensitive.'



Time for reflection: A boy kneels in silence at the edge of a reflecting pool filled with flowers during a memorial service at Ground Zero today


Remembering the fallen: President Barack Obama pauses during a ceremony today at the Pentagon


Making feelings plain: Alyson Low, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, shrugs off the controversy over the planned mosque


Anti-Islam Dutch politician Geert Wilders, who advocates banning the Quran and taxing Muslim women who wear head scarves, planned to address the crowd in person, along with a handful of Republican congressional candidates who have made opposition to the mosque a centerpiece of their campaigns.

Earlier, family members gathering n New York, Pennsylvania and the Pentagon brought flowers, pictures of their loved ones and American flags as the victims' names were read out.

Standing before microphones, stifling sobs, some family members expressed their thoughts about the furore surrounding plans to build a mosque near Ground Zero.

Karen Carroll, who lost her brother, firefighter Thomas Kuveikis, said: ‘It's a day to be sombre; it's a day to reflect on all those thousands of people that died for us in the United States.’


Grief: Anna Sereno holds a portrait of her son Arthuro Angelo Sereno, killed during the attacks on the World Trade Centre


Others mourners made their feelings plain with placards.

Alyson Low, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, held a photo of her sister Sara Low beside the words: ‘Today is ONLY about my sister and the other innocents killed nine years ago.’

The mother of a British victim of the 9/11 attacks criticised the pastor for adding to the ‘burden’ suffered by families on the anniversary of the deaths of their loved ones.

Patricia Bingley, from Essex, whose son Kevin Dennis worked in the World Trade Centre, told the BBC: ‘We have enough burden to bear without having to listen to this crank, as I call him, threatening to burn a very sacred book belonging to the Islamic community.

‘To me the repercussions if this act was to take place would reverberate right the way through the Muslim world.

‘I am just as much against that as I am against having a mosque built next to the site because that's my son's grave - I don't have any other grave.

‘I think it's disrespectful to build a mosque just there.'


Scene of tragedy: Members of the victims' families gather at Ground Zero today






source: dailymail

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