FRANTIC callers trapped on the upper floors of the burning World Trade Center sought help from emergency operators who were unable to offer much more than words of encouragement, according to recordings of emergency phone calls from September 11, 2001, released yesterday.

The voices of US fire-fighters who went to rescue people from the burning World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001 hold clues about what happened after planes struck the towers – but until now, many went unheard.

A judge ordered the immediate release of nearly 500 protesters just hours before President George Bush was to speak tonight at the Republican National Convention – then fined the city of New York for refusing to comply with his order.

Beatles fans are preparing for a showdown with New York officials over the 21st anniversary of John Lennon's death.