US Update: Justice will be done

US President George W. Bush has finished his address to the people of the United States of America, during which several important points were made:

1) The terrorists responsible may have shaken the foundations of America’s buildings, but

US President George W. Bush has finished his address to the people of the United States of America, during which several important points were made:

1) The terrorists responsible may have shaken the foundations of America's buildings, but they have not shaken American perseverance and strength. The ideals by which America was forged are not weakened, but instead fortified by this tragedy.

2) The United States Government continues to function, as do the major components of the US economy. Tomorrow will be business as normal for US Government institutions.

3) The United States will 'hunt down and punish those responsible for this cowardly act.' Furthermore, in perhaps the most profound statement of Mr Bush's speech, the United States of America will not make a distinction between the terrorists who committed this act and any country that harbours them.

Mr Bush's statement sought to reassure the American people at a time when citizens look to their leaders for guidance and strength. The US Government continues to function, the economy is intact, and the US will find and punish those responsible, regardless of where they hide.

Military response to events has been swift. Two US aircraft carriers, in conjunction with five other naval warships, are currently patrolling the eastern seaboard of the US, while two other carriers have been sent into the New York area to provide air cover for the city. The aircraft carrier USS Enterprise has been ordered to discontinue its transit of the Indian Ocean, for possible re-tasking to the Gulf.

Closures of public places, and the grounding of all aircraft across the US are continuing. Access to New York City has been cut, with all bridges and tunnels currently closed to traffic. The New York Stock Exchange has been shut until at least Wednesday (US time), while theme parks and major attractions all over the US have been closed. The Sears Tower in Chicago has been evacuated, as have been all major landmarks in Philadelphia. The entire United Nations complex has been cleared of people. Schools were closed and businesses sent their employees home early.

All flights in the US are still grounded, and according to Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Less Dorr, the earliest possible time for the reinstatement of normal flight operations anywhere in the US is midday on Wednesday.

Casualty estimates are fluctuating wildly, but it has been confirmed that all 266 passengers and crew on the four Boeing airplanes involved in this incident, have perished. Authorities have also confirmed the deaths of 265 fire fighters and 85 police, including both the Chief and Deputy Chief of the New York City Fire Department, after the collapse of the World Trade Centre towers

Currently, the Pentagon fire is contained but not yet under control. In what seems like a stroke of luck for the Americans, part of the Pentagon building was undergoing renovations and was thus sparsely populated at the time of the attack.

Internationally, explosions have been reported in Afghanistan; however American officials have denied any involvement.

The entire world is now waiting, holding its collective breath as American authorities attempt to gather accurate casualty figures and start the investigation process into who is responsible for this heinous attack. Early investigations point to Osama bin Laden, according to high-level intelligence officials; however, no credible claims of responsibility have yet been made by any terrorist group.

The thoughts and prayers of all Australians are with America today, especially with the friends and families of the victims.