Silence in Kabul, a requiem in the Antarctic

The reaction across the world

France

Two beams of blue light, in the shape of towers 1,200ft high, were projected from Paris city hall last night in memory of the victims of the attack on the twin towers. President Jacques Chirac attended a ceremony at the US ambassador's residence. He told the mostly American guests: "Today France remembers. France knows what it owes America."

Germany

Chancellor Gerhard Schröder said Berlin was committed to its friendship with Washington despite differences over Iraq, and attended a service at Berlin cathedral with President Johannes Rau.

Belgium

In Brussels, where the European Union and Nato have their headquarters, both organisations held ceremonies. Lord Robertson, the Secretary General of Nato, addressed the alliance's event. Outside the European Parliament, the Stars and Stripes was raised alongside the flags of the 15 EU member states.

Ireland

Factories, offices, shops and schools across Ireland all came to a standstill for one minute at 8.46am New York time (1246 GMT). Many of the firefighters who died in the attack were descendants of Irish immigrants. Hundreds of people, including Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, attended Mass at Dublin's pro-cathedral. "Our horror at what happened has still not abated," he said.

Italy

In Rome, a commemorative concert was held at the Colosseum last night. At the Vatican, Pope John Paul II condemned "barbarous and cruel" terrorism but also urged those who planned the four jet attacks to examine their consciences.

In Pisa, a white banner placed by the Leaning Tower read: "From the tower to the towers. Sept. 11, 2002. Memory, solidarity and peace."

Sweden

Political parties broke from campaigning for national elections to respect a minute of silence. Swedish Prime Minister Göran Persson said the attacks on the United States showed society's vulnerability.

Russia

President Vladimir Putin telephoned President Bush to express his sympathy and support for the American people

"In Russia we say that time heals everything, but there are things that we cannot forget and which must not be forgotten," he said in televised remarks. The US ambassador, Alexander Vershbow, who attended a church service in Moscow, said al-Qa'ida agents may be operating in Chechnya.

Afghanistan

At Bagram airbase, the US military headquarters in Afghanistan, there was a 20-minute memorial for a prayer, a moment of silence and the lowering of the flag – timed to coincide with the beginning of last year's attacks.

A small piece of the World Trade Center was buried under the flagpole at the US embassy in Kabul as a bugler played.

At the Kandahar airbase in southern Afghanistan, a ceremony was attended by 500 soldiers and a plaque honouring the fallen was unveiled.

Kenya

In Nairobi, scene of an al- Qa'ida attack on the US embassy in 1998 which killed 213 people, hundreds attended a ceremony at the Consolata Shrine parish church. Kenyan victims of the 1998 bombing held a small protest demanding compensation from the US.

Canada

A ceremony took place at Gander International Airport in Newfoundland. Almost 7,000 people from 38 planes landed at Gander after US airspace was closed immediately after the 11 September attacks.

Antarctica

Scientists at a remote American research base at the South Pole played Mozart's Requiem, as a choir in New Zealand began a rolling performance of the masterpiece by choirs in every time zone across the globe to mark the moment the first hijacked plane hit the World Trade Center.

New Zealand

A bugler played as the American flag was raised and then lowered to half-mast on the Auckland Harbour Bridge during one of many dawn services held around New Zealand.

In Wellington a Sugar Maple, the state tree of New York, was planted next to a New Zealand Ribbonwood in the grounds of the US embassy.

Australia

At surfer's Paradise, a Queensland holiday resort, 3,000 firefighters, lifeguards and ambulance officers in red and blue T-shirts formed a giant Stars and Stripes on the beach.

In Sydney, thousands of motorists were stranded with flat batteries after turning on their headlights during a morning tribute and forgetting to switch them off again.

Japan

A minute's silence was observed on the floor of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. At the US embassy, a Japanese maple was planted in front of the gates, at the spot where offerings of flowers and paper cranes were left after the attacks.