WORLD

US President Joe Biden on Sunday paid tribute to the victims of the 9/11 terror attack by al-Qaeda terrorists, taking part in a remembrance event at the Pentagon, and delivered remarks to honour those killed.

"I know for all those of you who lost someone, 21 years is both a lifetime and no time at all," Biden said at the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. 

"It's good to remember. These memories help us heal, but they can also open up the hurt and take us back to that moment when the grief was so raw."

A memorial service for the Queen will conclude with the singing of the first official version of 'God Save the King' at St. Paul's Cathedral.

As a sign that King Charles III has now succeeded Queen Elizabeth II as monarch, the words "Queen" will be replaced with "King" and "her victorious" with "him victorious" in the national song.

Following the King's arrival at Buckingham Palace on Friday, large groups sung the song outside the palace on their own.

The England vs. South Africa Third Test Match, which was suspended on Friday as a result of the Queen's passing, is scheduled to resume on Saturday at the Kia Oval, where the new lyrics are anticipated to be performed.

The longest-reigning and longest-lived monarch in British history, Queen Elizabeth II, passed away at Balmoral, her private Scottish estate, on Thursday afternoon at 96, ending the Second Elizabethan Age. Prince Charles, her eldest son, is now King of the United Kingdom, and his wife, Camilla, Queen Consort.

Elizabeth II’s reign of seven decades made her the world’s longest-reigning monarch. “The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow,” Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

A statement from King Charles was issued by Buckingham Palace in which he said: “The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty the Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family. We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.”

Reversing the decision of its predecessor, the Biden Administration has approved a whooping USD 450 million F-16 fighter jet fleet sustainment programme to Pakistan.

As a notification to the US Congress, the State Department has made a determination approving a possible foreign military sale of F-16 case for sustainment and related equipment for an estimated cost of USD 450 million, arguing that this will sustain Islamabad's capability to meet current and future counterterrorism threats by maintaining its F-16 fleet.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia is lowering prices for crude oil being shipped to Asia and Europe next month, but raising prices for most other barrels sent to the US.

Asian refiners will pay about $4 per barrel less in October compared to September deliveries, while shipments to northern Europe and the Mediterranean will be about $2 per barrel lower.

The pullback in prices is the first cut in prices in roughly four months and was largely expected as the price of Brent crude oil has fallen in recent months.