Iran's successful satellite launch worries the West
Iran successfully launched the Charman-1 satellite on September 14, raising concerns in the West about the country's missile development capabilities. The satellite was put into space by a Qaem rocket of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Although Iran insists that Charman-1 is a technology test, Western countries believe the launch is linked to its ballistic missile program. The US has warned that Iran's satellite launches could challenge UN Security Council regulations, particularly on the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Once-in-a-century heavy rains cause historic floods in Europe
Record-breaking rainfall in 100 years has caused severe flooding in central and eastern Europe, killing at least eight people. Storm Boris dumped huge amounts of rain on cities such as Vienna, Bratislava and Prague.
In Poland and Romania, many areas have been severely flooded, forcing thousands of people to evacuate. Authorities in countries such as Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic have also declared a state of emergency. Rescue services are being deployed urgently as flood warnings are at red alert in many areas.
Another plot to assassinate Donald Trump in Florida
The FBI investigated the conspiracy to assassinate former President Donald Trump on September 15 in Palm Beach, Florida.
The Secret Service responded immediately, shooting and arresting the suspect as he fled in an SUV. There were no reported injuries, and Mr Trump was safely secured. This was the second assassination attempt on Mr Trump, following an incident in Pennsylvania in July.
Pagers explode in Lebanon, causing heavy casualties
On September 17, hundreds of handheld pagers suddenly exploded simultaneously across Lebanon, killing at least 12 people and injuring 2,750, including the Iranian ambassador and many Hezbollah members.
Lebanese officials suspect Israel was behind the sophisticated attack, but the Israeli military has declined to comment. The incident comes amid escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, raising the prospect of a major war in the Middle East.
Israel airstrikes Lebanon, kills senior Hezbollah commander
Ibrahim Aqil, commander of Hezbollah's Radwan unit, was killed in a precision Israeli airstrike in Beirut on September 20. Aqil, who had a $7 million bounty on his head from the United States, was behind numerous attacks on Israel.
The airstrike also killed several other senior Hezbollah officers. In response, Hezbollah launched more than 100 rockets into northern Israel, killing 12 and wounding 66. Tensions between the two sides escalated as Israel declared a "new phase in the war" against Hezbollah.
