Sept. 11, 2026, 7:01 AM EDTBy Kayla Hayempour

Americans share harrowing memories from the 9/11 attacks as the nation commemorates the 25th anniversary. Two more AI researchers sound the alarm about safety risks. And can Trump actually issue $5,000 checks?

Here’s what to know today.

Remembering 9/11, 25 years later

After the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the refrain “Never Forget” became ubiquitous. Twenty-five years later, it’s clear that many who lived through that day have not forgotten how profoundly it changed America — both as a nation and as individuals.

NBC News collected memories from readers, who described emotions of disbelief, horror and sorrow as the events unfolded.

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One was 11 years old, watching the towers fall on a classroom TV. Another was on the streets of New York as an “apocalyptic” feeling swept over the city. And a doctor recalled surviving the collapse of Tower Two before treating other victims in a conference room.

Regardless of age or location, all remain united by a shared tragedy. “The sadness is the same 25 years later,” one woman said.

Ceremonies are planned today in lower Manhattan, D.C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania, to commemorate the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the attacks. This year will also include a moment of silence for those who have died of illnesses in the aftermath.

NBC News is covering the landmark anniversary on our liveblog.

More on the attack that forever changed America:

  • Dementia is taking a toll on Sept. 11 responders. A federal health program doesn’t cover it.
  • Siblings who lost their father, a New York firefighter, describe the “deep void” of grief.

Two AI researchers leave Anthropic and Google over safety concerns

Growing chorus of A.I. insiders warns of possible extinction of humans02:02

Two more researchers from Anthropic and Google DeepMind who recently left their positions are sounding the alarm about risks from advanced AI systems. Both cited fears that the technology may soon spiral and potentially kill all humans.

Joe Benton and Josh Engels said there is an urgent need for greater transparency when AI systems act beyond human control, citing the recent cyberattack by a rogue OpenAI agent.

“There are no adults in the room,” Engels said. “People are trying their best, but there is no one coming to save us.”

Their comments come as Anthropic reports that governments have repeatedly tried to use its models to surveil citizens and to research diseases in ways that could support bioweapons.

Read more of our exclusive reporting.

What to know about Trump’s $5k pledge

President Donald Trump promised Americans $5,000 checks if the GOP keeps control of Congress. Is that even possible?

Legal experts, economists and even Republicans say the plan faces practical obstacles and long odds.

For one, the proposal would almost certainly require approval from Congress. With an estimated $1.3 trillion price tag, it could be a difficult sell for the anti-spending hard-liners in the GOP.

Fiscal hawks also warn it could be dangerous for debt and inflation. And another challenge could be the president himself: Trump didn’t deliver on previous pledges to deliver cash to Americans.

Here’s what else to know.

More out of the GOP midterm convention:

  • Vance positioned himself as a fighter for family values and a “national birthright” in a speech that also praised Charlie Kirk.
  • Trump and other Republicans said economic relief is on the way — but voters will need to wait until after the midterms.
  • Analysis: The Iran war was largely ignored by the president and top administration officials.

Diesel hits all-time high ahead of inflation report

The nationwide average price of diesel fuel hit $6 per gallon for the first time, an ominous record for a commodity that powers much of the U.S. economy. The average price per gallon has soared 60% since the Iran war began in late February.

The higher cost is expected to affect the price of “anything that requires being shipped,” one economist said, especially groceries.

Later today, the inflation report could also prove pivotal for the affordability crisis — and Kevin Warsh, the new Federal Reserve chairman. Many believe the Fed’s decision on whether or not to raise rates hinges on the numbers.

The report is expected to show that inflation rose 0.4% in August from July and remained flat at 3.4% from a year ago. Core inflation, which strips out food and energy costs is expected to rise just 0.2% month-over-month.

Staff Pick: How Afghan girls are defying the Taliban

It has been five years since the U.S. and NATO withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban returned to power. Initially, there was hope the Taliban 2.0 wouldn’t revive their restrictive policies against women and girls. But it didn’t take long for the decrees to come raining down, prohibiting what women could wear, where they could go, what work they could do and even how loudly they could speak in public. Afghan girls cannot get an education after the age of 12 and can be married off as young as 9.

Our team wanted to hear directly from the women to understand what had become of their daily life. We also reached out to award-winning British author Kate Clanchy, who teaches poetry to Afghan women online, and joined her in-person during one of her virtual classes.

There were stories centered around anger and despair, but it’s the women and girls’ resilience and passion that tend to take your breath away. Some learned by example, having mothers who were girls when the Taliban came to power in 1996. Many also have the support of their fathers, husbands and brothers.

In the stunning words of Clanchy’s youngest student, who’s just 12,: “Even though they took away my classroom, I refuse to let them take away my mind.”

— Sara Monetta, multimedia producer

Read All About It 

  • Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s parents are suing the singer D4vd, accusing him of wrongful death after he was charged in the 14-year-old girl’s murder.
  • A 15-year-old boy survived days at sea after a fishing boat capsized off an Alaskan island, killing his older brother and cousin.
  • Three pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong who organized annual vigils for victims of China’s 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown were sentenced to prison.
  • Los Angeles Rams dominated by 49ers in Australia as Super Bowl favorites suffer heavy defeat.

NBC Selected: Online Shopping, Simplified

Apple just introduced its first-ever folding phone. Here’s everything you need to know about the iPhone Duo. Plus, save up to 75% on blankets, sheets and more during Brooklinen’s Last Call sale. Hurry, once these styles sell out, they’re gone for good.

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