AN explosion on a road frequently used by British troops killed six civilians in the southern city of Basra yesterday as the American military detained about 20 people suspected of links to al-Qaida.

World leaders and relatives of victims joined together around the globe today to pay tribute to the victims of the September 11 attacks with remembrance services including a tree-planting ceremony in Australia and the opening of a memorial garden in London.

An American soldier was killed and four others were wounded in Iraq today when their convoy came under attack, the US military said.