North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, personally supervised the ninth and final ground test of a high-thrust solid-fuel rocket engine on September 8, marking a decisive step toward deploying a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

The engine, constructed with advanced carbon-fiber composite materials, generates nearly two thousand kilonewtons of thrust—surpassing previous models and positioning Pyongyang for rapid and mobile missile launch capability.

Solid-fuel propulsion offers a strategic advantage over legacy liquid-fuel systems, allowing for swift deployment and reduced vulnerability to pre-launch detection.

Analysts note its readiness potential enables missile deployment within minutes rather than hours.

State media described the test as ushering in a “significant change in expanding and strengthening the nuclear strategic forces,” and confirmed the engine is slated for use in both the already tested Hwasong-19 and the next-generation Hwasong-20, which awaits its inaugural flight.

This technological milestone follows Kim’s recent visit to Beijing and his appearance alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a major military parade.

Analysts interpret that occasion as an affirmation of renewed strategic ties, and the subsequent engine test as a manifestation of Pyongyang’s resumed confidence in advancing its weapons programme.

Observers anticipate that North Korea may conduct a full test-launch of the new ICBM by year’s end—possibly ahead of a major ruling party congress in early 2026, where Kim is expected to outline fresh domestic and foreign policy directives.

This development signals a notable acceleration in North Korea’s missile capability, combining enhanced engine technology with heightened diplomatic backing from its foremost allies.

In a showpiece event on September 9 at Apple Park, the company unveiled its sleekest iPhone to date—the iPhone Air—alongside a refreshed iPhone 17 lineup, enhanced AirPods Pro and a new generation of Apple Watches.

At just 5.6 millimeters thick, the iPhone Air stands as Apple’s thinnest smartphone ever, featuring a 6.5-inch OLED display and “spacecraft titanium” construction.

It is available in Sky Blue, Light Gold, Cloud White and Space Black.

It runs on the powerful A19 Pro chip, includes Apple’s new C1X modem and N1 networking chips, and relies exclusively on eSIM support.

Retailing from nine hundred ninety-nine dollars, the Air joins the iPhone 17 series with pre-orders starting September twelfth and shipping from September nineteenth.

The standard iPhone 17 offers a 6.3-inch display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, improved AI features, enhanced scratch resistance and increased storage, while maintaining a starting price of seven hundred ninety-nine dollars.

The iPhone 17 Pro, priced from one thousand ninety-nine dollars, introduces a vapor-chamber cooling system, a larger battery and advanced camera performance.

Camera upgrades across the lineup include AI-driven Center Stage framing, ultra-stabilized video, and dual-capture for simultaneous selfie and rear-scene recording.

Wearables received notable enhancements.

The AirPods Pro 3, priced at two hundred forty-nine dollars, feature live language translation, heart rate detection, better fit and enhanced active noise cancellation.

They include improved spatial audio and battery life.

Three Apple Watch models were introduced.

The Apple Watch Series 11, starting at three hundred ninety-nine dollars, includes a blood pressure monitor (pending FDA approval), sleep score tracking, stronger glass, and 24-hour battery life.

The more affordable Apple Watch SE 3 now features an always-on display and upgraded chip, starting at two hundred forty-nine dollars.

At the premium end, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 offers satellite connectivity, a larger screen, and up to forty-two hours of battery life, priced at seven hundred ninety-nine dollars.

Apple highlighted sustainability across the product line.

The iPhone Air is made with 80 percent recycled titanium.

All watch models incorporate at least 40 percent recycled materials, and the Ultra 3 features a 3D-printed titanium case that reduces waste.

Despite tariff pressures, Apple maintained its pricing across devices while increasing base storage options.

The company’s global manufacturing strategy, including expanded operations in India, has helped buffer cost increases.

With bold new designs, AI capabilities, health features and environmental improvements, Apple’s 2025 product refresh reinforces its leadership in innovation and premium consumer technology.

The Vatican has hosted the first Catholic LGBTQ pilgrimage recognized during a Holy Year, as pilgrims gathered in Rome and processed through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in an event framed as a gesture of welcome for LGBTQ Catholics and their families.

The pilgrimage formed part of the Jubilee Year calendar, which draws millions of the faithful to the Vatican at regular intervals for prayer and penance.

Participants prayed together, carried symbols including a rainbow cross, and entered the basilica through the Holy Door—an act of devotion signifying reconciliation—after a vigil the previous evening.

Attendance ran into the hundreds, with groups traveling from Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Church figures associated with the gathering emphasized pastoral accompaniment while noting that doctrine remains unchanged.

A Mass connected to the pilgrimage was celebrated in Rome, and senior clergy urged respect and protection of human dignity, including for those who identify as LGBTQ.

The initiative, planned under Pope Francis, continued under Pope Leo XIV, reflecting an institutional willingness to maintain outreach launched in recent years.

The Holy Year context provided additional significance.

Crossing the Holy Door at St. Peter’s is among the Jubilee’s central rites, with registration overseen by the Vatican’s official portal to manage the flow of pilgrims across designated routes and time slots.

The inclusion of an LGBTQ-focused event on the wider Jubilee calendar marked a first within living memory, according to organizers and participants.

The milestone weekend in Rome coincided with other high-profile moments at the Vatican, including the canonization of Carlo Acutis—recognized as the Church’s first millennial saint—and Pier Giorgio Frassati, celebrations that drew large youth crowds to St. Peter’s Square.

The confluence of events underscored a Holy Year narrative centered on engaging younger generations and demonstrating the Church’s global scale.

Apple held its highly anticipated fall hardware event—branded “Awe Dropping”—delivering a slate of new devices designed to reinvigorate consumer interest amid supply constraints, global trade pressures, and intensifying competition.

The star of the show was the iPhone 17 lineup.

It includes the standard iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and a new ultra-thin model called the iPhone 17 Air.

The Air model impresses with its slender five point five-millimetre profile and a six point six-inch display, while maintaining the core performance expected of the series.

The Pro models feature a horizontal camera bar with triple forty-eight-megapixel lenses, an enhanced telephoto module, eight-k video capture, an A19 Pro chip, and up to twelve gigabytes of RAM.

On the wearable front, Apple unveiled three new models.

The Apple Watch Series 11 includes health-centric advances such as blood pressure monitoring and improved battery performance, powered by the S11 chip.

The rugged Apple Watch Ultra 3 offers satellite messaging, five-G RedCap cellular support and significantly longer battery life.

A refreshed budget variant, the Apple Watch SE 3, received screen and processing upgrades.

Apple also introduced the AirPods Pro 3, which add live translation, improved noise cancellation, and optical heart-rate sensing within a more compact charging case.

While design changes were modest, health and convenience features were substantially enhanced.

All new iPhones run the latest iOS 26 software, boasting a refreshed Liquid Glass interface, enhanced call handling with live translation, and a dedicated Games app.

Worldwide streaming of the event commenced from Apple’s Cupertino headquarters, alongside availability announcements.

Pre-orders are set to open on September twelfth, with products shipping by September nineteenth.

Apple’s launch serves as a pivotal moment ahead of the holiday season, aiming to revitalise sales momentum with form-factor innovation, health enhancements and ecosystem integration across devices.

Nepal’s Prime Minister, KP Sharma Oli, resigned on Tuesday in the wake of violent nationwide protests led by Generation Z, which left at least nineteen people dead and hundreds injured.

The upheaval, centred on a government ban of twenty-six social media platforms and mounting anger over corruption and economic stagnation, became the most severe unrest Nepal has seen in decades.

The protests erupted after the government imposed a sweeping ban on social media platforms—including Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube and X—citing non-compliance with new registration rules.

Although the ban was later lifted, outrage had already surged.

Security forces deployed live ammunition, tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannons against demonstrators in Kathmandu, prompting international condemnation.

Hospitals reported mass casualties, and nearly four hundred people were treated for injuries.

Demonstrators armed with school uniforms and placards clashed with police at the federal parliament complex.

Homes of political leaders and party offices were set ablaze in Kathmandu and other cities.

The youth-led movement tapped into deeper discontent over political nepotism, privilege, and a lack of economic opportunity.

A campaign targeting “Nepo Kids”—children of politicians flaunting wealth—galvanized widespread support.

Gen-Z activists organised via social media before access was cut.

Civic leader Sudan Gurung emerged as a prominent figure, spearheading protests through his NGO “Hami Nepal” and coordinating demonstrations with platforms like Instagram and Discord.

The political fallout was swift.

In addition to the prime minister’s resignation, the interior minister, along with other cabinet members including finance and health ministers, stepped down.

The army urged dialogue and restraint while curfews were imposed in multiple cities.

International bodies called for transparent investigations into the use of lethal force.

Oli said he resigned to enable a constitutional resolution.

With no party holding a clear majority, analysts anticipate the formation of an interim government—potentially involving Gen-Z groups—in coming days.

This uprising mirrors other youth-driven movements across South Asia, reflecting a broader crisis of governance and generational frustration.