9/11 Illnesses Haunt Journalists

Fears sum won't be enough, and lawyers get too much

(NEWSER) - A federal judge put the kibosh today on New York City’s deal to set aside as much as $657 million for 10,000 workers sickened by toxic debris at the World Trade Center site. Alvin Hellerstein thinks it’s not enough money, would leave out other first responders to the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks—and that lawyers are getting too much of it, the Daily News reports. More»

(AP) - Britain's Prince Harry bowed his head in prayer at ground zero today, then toured the Sept. 11 attack site and shook New Yorkers' hands in his first official visit to the US. “Big question—when is this supposed to be finished?" the 24-year-old asked officials showing him rebuilding plans for the World Trade Center site. The prince laid a wreath at a spot overlooking the memorial under construction. More»

Country, relatives mark anniversary of 9/11 attacks

(NEWSER) - Relatives gathered at a park near Ground Zero to remember the victims of the World Trade Center attacks today—the first anniversary without a clear blue sky, notes the New York Daily News. It was also the first time the memorial was moved away from the footprints of the towers. "Just so long as we continue to do something special every year," said one victim's aunt. More»

Rates highest for those who arrived first, worked longest and didn't wear masks

(NEWSER) - Ground Zero rescue and cleanup workers are developing asthma at 12 times the normal rate, a New York City health report has found. Among 25,000 workers interviewed, 3.6% of them—926 firefighters, police officers, construction workers and volunteers—have been diagnosed with the respiratory illness since 2001. The normal rate would be 77 people. More»

What happened after the attacks was unforgivable: Paul Krugman

(NEWSER) - For many Americans, the 10th anniversary of September 11 comes shrouded in feelings of grief and loss, but the overwhelming emotion for Paul Krugman is shame. The "atrocity should have been a unifying event," but instead "fake heroes like Bernie Kerik, Rudy Giuliani, and, yes, George W. Bush raced to cash in on the horror," blogs the New York Times columnist. "What happened after 9/11—and I think even people on the right know this—was deeply shameful." More»