Low-flying plane stunt 'a mistake', says Obama

President Barack Obama today described as a “mistake” a photo opportunity staged by the White House in which a low-flying plane skimmed New York’s skyline, provoking memories of the 9/11 attack.

The jet, which serves as Air Force One when the president is on board, spent half an hour circling the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan’s financial district yesterday morning, leading to concerned office workers evacuating buildings.