Today marks the 25th year of the attacks on the United States by the transnational terrorist organisation Al-Qaeda.

The solemn display of unity was a stark contrast to the evening before, when the Democratic vice president forced the rattled Republican former president onto the defensive in a bruising televised encounter.

Authorities in New York identify the remains of a male victim of Al-Qaeda's September 11, 2001 terror attack on the World Trade Center - some 16 years after the incident.