Apple unveiled the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, at its “Surprise and Shine” event at Apple Park in Cupertino, California, on September 9. The launch marked CEO John Ternus’ first major iPhone event since taking over from Tim Cook. Apple said the iPhone 18 Pro brings major advances in intelligence, performance, battery and camera capabilities, while adding glacier and burgundy colour options. The foldable iPhone Duo is described as Apple’s thinnest iPhone when unfolded. Apple also introduced the Apple Reference Image standard to help verify image authenticity and support AI-image identification.

A slab of an under-construction building collapsed in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar on Wednesday, leaving more than 10 workers feared trapped under the debris, police said. The collapse occurred in the Kudasan area, where rescue operations were launched by teams from the fire department. Five injured workers have been rescued and taken to a hospital for treatment, officials said. Gandhinagar Fire Officer Rajesh Patel said teams were working at the site and further details were awaited. Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi also reached the spot and inspected the collapsed structure as rescue efforts continued. (PC: India Today)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran’s Islamic Republic was “very close” to collapse, while Tehran’s Revolutionary Guards outlined conditions for ending the war with the United States. The IRGC demanded an end to US military action and threats, an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, an end to the Yemen blockade, release of $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets and a pledge not to interfere with Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities. Meanwhile, escalating attacks pushed Brent crude above $100 a barrel, amid growing fears over energy supplies. Fighting has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which previously carried roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies. US strikes on Iranian tankers and Houthi attacks on Saudi oil facilities further heightened market concerns. (PC: X)

India faces a delicate diplomatic challenge at the BRICS 2026 summit as Iran and the UAE arrive with sharply opposing positions over the West Asia conflict. Iran wants BRICS to condemn US-Israeli actions and support its sovereignty, while the UAE is prioritising maritime security and protection of commercial shipping in the Gulf. India, which is hosting the September 12-13 summit, aims to secure a joint Delhi Declaration without allowing the dispute to overshadow BRICS’ economic agenda. New Delhi is pushing language focused on sovereignty, freedom of navigation, de-escalation and regional stability without naming countries or assigning blame. The stakes are high for India because disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could raise oil prices and affect imports, trade, remittances and Indian workers. (PC: News18)

Bangladesh is facing a devastating measles outbreak that has reportedly killed more than 1,000 children since March, according to health officials. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) recorded 1,002 deaths and 187,484 measles infections among children, making the outbreak one of the country’s deadliest in decades. The crisis has highlighted gaps in vaccination coverage, leaving children who missed immunisation particularly vulnerable to the highly contagious disease. The outbreak is also placing growing pressure on Bangladesh’s healthcare system. The scale of infections and deaths has renewed concerns over declining or incomplete vaccine coverage and the continuing threat posed by preventable diseases. Authorities face the challenge of containing transmission while protecting vulnerable children from further deaths. (PC: X/@DailySabah)

Pakistan may activate the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement to defend Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks, potentially conducting airstrikes against the Iran-backed group in Yemen. The agreement, signed last month, includes a collective-defence clause that Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khwaja Asif indicated could be triggered if fighting in Yemen spills into Saudi territory. Reports suggest Pakistani airstrikes on Houthi positions could take place soon and be publicly announced afterward. However, Islamabad may distinguish between defending Saudi territory and supporting a broader Saudi military offensive inside Yemen. This could make the situation the first major test of the pact’s collective-defence commitment. The potential intervention comes after Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia reportedly caused casualties and fires at oil facilities. (PC: Reuters)

Oil prices crossed the $100-a-barrel mark on Wednesday as fresh attacks on Middle Eastern oil facilities and tankers intensified concerns over global supplies. Brent crude rose 2.57% to $100.40 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 2.10% to $94.98, marking Brent’s return above $100 for the first time in nearly six weeks. The surge followed a US military strike on five Iranian tankers after attempted missile attacks on a Navy warship, alongside Houthi attacks that set Saudi oil facilities on fire. The conflict escalated further after Iran launched missiles toward US targets in Jordan, with the Revolutionary Guards claiming attacks on two US destroyers and a US base. (PC: Reuters)

Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA), led by Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, suspended the licences of three ISKCON Juhu food establishments after inspections found serious food-safety and hygiene violations. The units at Hare Krishna Land, ISKCON Juhu Food Services–Restaurant and Govinda’s Restaurant were inspected on September 3. Officials reported pest infestation, inadequate cleaning and drainage, improper storage and segregation of raw and cooked food, and missing records related to water testing, employee medical checks, vaccination, training and audits. Govinda’s Restaurant reportedly had standing water in cold storage and blocked drains. The wider crackdown also targeted eateries and food establishments across Mumbai, Konkan and Pune, with violations including cockroaches, improper milk storage, expired food and labelling discrepancies. (PC: X)

Two ring-tailed lemurs stolen from Bangladesh’s Gazipur Safari Park have reportedly been traced to Vantara, Anant Ambani’s wildlife conservation facility in Gujarat, according to investigators cited by Ajker Patrika. Three lemurs were allegedly stolen on March 23, 2025, with photographs shared with prospective Indian buyers. Two Bangladeshi-linked and Indian-based intermediaries allegedly arranged the deal, involving one adult and one juvenile for 1.7 million Bangladeshi Taka. The animals were smuggled into India through the Darshana border and eventually sold for around Rs 4.8 million to an institution associated with Vantara. However, authorities lack microchips, identification numbers and DNA profiles, making scientific confirmation difficult. Investigators are seeking DNA evidence from the remaining juvenile. (PC: The Siasat Daily)

Ahmedabad has been ranked the world’s least-prepared city to deal with climate disasters, placing below Lahore in a global assessment of 72 cities. The AlphaGeo index assessed cities based on their exposure to risks such as floods, extreme heat, drought, wildfires and hurricanes, as well as their ability to adapt. Chicago topped the ranking, benefiting from its temperate climate, freshwater access and infrastructure investments. South Asian cities dominated the least-resilient list, with Ahmedabad ranked last, followed by Hyderabad in Pakistan, Multan, Dhaka and Lahore. Kolkata also featured among the 10 least-resilient cities, ranking sixth, according to the assessment. (PC: X)