America commemorates the victims of the September 11th attacks on the 20th anniversary
Memorial services and memorial services will be held in the United States on Saturday to honor the victims and remember the legacy of the September 11, 2001 attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people. Twenty years ago, two planes, American Airlines Flight 11 and United Airlines Flight 175, crashed into the north and south towers of the World Trade Center in New York City before American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon in northern Virginia. United Airlines Flight 93 passengers battled the hijackers before the plane crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania and missed its intended destination in Washington. President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden plan to visit all three locations where the attacks took place. Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Shanksville with second gentleman Doug Emhoff before joining the Bidens at the Pentagon.
The EU’s COVID-19 restrictions are getting even stricter for travelers
France joins the list of European travel destinations and tightens restrictions on US tourists as COVID-19 cases increase due to the Delta variant. From Sunday, only vaccinated visitors are allowed to go on vacation. Unvaccinated travelers can only visit for compelling reasons and require a negative COVID-19 test. European Union member states tightened entry requirements after the EU removed the US from its safe travel list on Aug. 30, indicating rising COVID-19 cases. Here is a full list of the European countries open to US travelers and their restrictions.
The US Open could make history in both the men’s and women’s individual events
The US Open will crown their individual champions this weekend after an eventful two weeks in New York City. In a stunning women’s final set for Saturday, two unseeded players, both teenagers aiming for their first Grand Slam title, will battle it out for the first time in a grand final (ESPN, 4 p.m. ET). The Canadian Leylah Fernandez, 19, defeated three of the five best seeds in the tournament and secured her spot, while the British Emma Raducanu, 18, became the first qualifier to reach a Grand Slam final in the Open era (since 1968). History could also be made in the men’s final on Sunday, when Novak Djokovic tries to become the first man since 1969 to win the Calendar Grand Slam (ESPN, 4 p.m. ET). The world’s number one player who wants to add a US Open championship to his titles at the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon will meet the finalist of 2019, Daniil Medvedev, the number 2 of the tournament.
The VMAs return in person with Doja Cat as their host
Unlike last year’s mélange of pre-recorded productions and outdoor appearances scattered across New York City, the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards return to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Sunday (8 p.m. ET). The show with the audience will be moderated by “Kiss Me More” hit maker Doja Cat. A high-profile cameo on “Popstar” and his own No. 1 hit “Peaches” brought Justin Bieber to the top of the nomination list with seven nominations, including Artist of the Year. Close behind is Megan Thee Stallion with six nicks, including Artist of the Year. The Foo Fighters, who won this year’s Global Icon Award, will rock the VMA stage for the first time since 2007. The band shares the marquee with Camila Cabello, Chlöe, presenter Doja Cat, Kacey Musgraves, Shawn Mendes, Olivia Rodrigo, Ozuna, Tainy and Twenty One Pilots, with some special appearances planned.
Several juicy matchups stand out as most NFL teams start the season
National Football League fans have been waiting for an action-packed weekend all off-season and Week 1 is finally here. Sunday marks the first of 17 games in the 2021 regular season for most NFL teams. Game of the day will include a 2020 playoff rematch in which Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs Baker Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns (CBS, 4:25 p.m. ET). After an 11-5 season, their first playoff game since 2002 and their first postseason win since 1994, the Browns gave the Chiefs a game in the divisional round before losing 22-17. In an important early game, Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers will be visiting Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills (CBS, 1pm ET). The teams have matched each other for each of the last two seasons, with the Bills winning both games. The Los Angeles Rams open Sunday Night Football with new quarterback Matthew Stafford in their home ground at SoFi Stadium against the Chicago Bears (NBC, 8:20 pm ET).
