Apple held its "Awe Dropping" event on Tuesday, unveiling the iPhone 17 series, new Apple Watches, and updated AirPods Pro 3.

The launch included the standard iPhone 17, the new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, and the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models, alongside refreshed Apple Watch 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, Apple Watch SE 3, and the AirPods Pro 3.

The iPhone 17 Air, Apple's thinnest smartphone ever at 5.6mm, was the standout announcement. It features a single 48MP rear camera, a polished titanium frame, and is powered by the new A19 processor. It is available in black, silver, gold, and a new light blue finish, with a starting price of $999.

The standard iPhone 17 features a larger 6.3-inch display with a fast refresh rate, 256GB of base storage, dual 48MP rear cameras, and an upgraded front camera, priced at $799.

The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models received a significant design refresh, including a new camera bar spanning the top third of the device and a switch from titanium to aluminum frames for improved heat dissipation. Both models feature 48MP telephoto cameras, a new A19 Pro chipset, and improved battery life, with prices of $1,099 and $1,199 respectively.

The Apple Watch 11 introduced new health features, including blood pressure monitoring and a new sleep score tool, with a battery life of 24 hours and 5G connectivity. The Apple Watch SE 3 also received the sleep score feature and an always-on display 

The Apple Watch Ultra 3 extended its battery life to 42 hours and added satellite messaging capabilities.

The AirPods Pro 3 feature improved audio quality, active noise cancellation, translation features, fitness tracking sensors, and a new, smaller charging case.

Apple has expanded its eSIM-only iPhone 17 lineup to include new countries, marking a significant shift from previous models.

The iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max will be eSIM-only in Bahrain, Canada, Guam, Japan, Kuwait, Mexico, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with the iPhone Air being eSIM-only globally, including in China.

The eSIM-only models in these countries eliminate the physical SIM card tray, allowing Apple to increase battery capacity, particularly in the Pro models, which gain up to two additional hours of video playback.

This expansion includes Canada and Mexico for the first time, alongside a broader rollout in the Middle East and Asia.

In contrast, the iPhone 17 series will still feature a nano-SIM card tray alongside eSIM support in regions like Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and India.

In China, the standard iPhone 17 models support nano-SIM cards only, while the iPhone Air model is eSIM-only.

Israeli military carried out a strike on senior Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday, marking a significant escalation in the nearly 2-year conflict. The attack, which targeted a residential complex in the West Bay Lagoon district, resulted in the deaths of six people, including the son of Hamas chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya and the director of his office, as well as a Qatari security officer.

The strike occurred while Hamas leaders were reportedly meeting in Doha to discuss a ceasefire proposal from the U.S. administration, which had been facilitated through Qatari mediation.

Qatar has hosted Hamas's political bureau since 2012 and has played a key role in indirect negotiations with Israel since October 2023. The Israeli military claimed the target was the senior leadership of Hamas, specifically naming Khalil al-Hayya and Zaher Jabarin as individuals targeted.

The U.S. Embassy in Doha issued a shelter-in-place order for its personnel due to reports of missile strikes.

Israel described the operation as a "precise strike" targeting those responsible for the October 7 attacks and claimed it was a "wholly independent Israeli operation."

The strike has drawn widespread international condemnation, with Qatar calling it a "cowardly" and "blatant violation" of international law, and the UN Secretary General condemning it as a "flagrant violation" of sovereignty.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released a statement asserting that the strike was "a wholly independent Israeli operation. Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility." He claimed the attack was retaliation for the deadly shooting at a Jerusalem bus stop on Monday and the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that was also posted on Truth Social by the president, that President Donald Trump was informed of the attack by the U.S. military shortly before it occurred and immediately directed special envoy Steve Witkoff to warn Qatar of the impending strike.

Trump "feels very badly" about the location of the attack, but the White House emphasized that the strike "does not advance Israel or America's goals."

The White House also stated that Trump assured Qatar's leaders "that such a thing will not happen again on their soil." Trump added in the Truth Social post that he has directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to finalize U.S. defense cooperation agreement with Qatar.

The attack followed a pattern of Israeli strikes against Iranian-backed groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, in response to attacks on Israel. The strike has caused significant diplomatic tension, with Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the UK, France, and the UN all condemning the attack as a violation of sovereignty and a dangerous escalation.

Trump administration statement:

“This morning, the Trump administration was notified by the United States military that Israel was attacking Hamas, which very unfortunately was located in a section of Doha, the capital of Qatar.

"Unilaterally bombing inside Qatar, a sovereign nation and close ally of the United States that is working very hard and bravely taking risks with us to broker peace, does not advance Israel or America’s goals.

"However, eliminating Hamas, who have profited off the misery of those living in Gaza, is a worthy goal. President Trump immediately directed Special Envoy Witkoff to inform the Qataris of the impending attack, which he did. The president views Qatar as a strong ally and friend of the United States, and feels very badly about the location of this attack. President Trump wants all of the hostages in Gaza and the bodies of the dead released in this war to end now.

"President Trump also spoke to Prime Minister Netanyahu after the attack. The prime minister told President Trump that he wants to make peace and quickly. President Trump believes this unfortunate incident could serve as an opportunity for peace. The president also spoke to the emir and prime minister of Qatar and thanked them for their support and friendship to our country.

He assured them that such a thing will not happen again on their soil."

Lachlan Murdoch has secured control of his father Rupert Murdoch's media empire in a $3.3 billion deal finalized on Monday, resolving a years-long succession battle and ensuring the conservative direction of outlets like Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Post will continue under his leadership.

The agreement, which ends litigation and dissolves the original 1999 family trust, sees Lachlan's three older siblings—Prue, Liz, and James—each receive $1.1 billion for their shares, while a new trust, which includes Lachlan and his two younger sisters, Grace and Chloe, will hold the controlling stake in News Corp and Fox Corporation until 2050.

The deal marks the culmination of a decades-long struggle over the future of the Murdoch media empire, which Rupert Murdoch had sought to steer toward a conservative legacy through his chosen heir, Lachlan.

The original plan to unilaterally change the irrevocable family trust, dubbed "Project Family Harmony," was rejected by a Nevada probate court in December 2024, which labeled the effort a "carefully crafted charade" and accused Rupert’s representatives of breaching fiduciary duties.

The legal battle intensified after James Murdoch gave an interview to The Atlantic in February 2025, where he criticized his father and Fox News, prompting demands for judicial sanctions and further escalating tensions.

Despite the court defeat, the legal pressure and the prospect of prolonged litigation brought the family back to the negotiating table, leading to the final settlement that allows Lachlan to consolidate control.

The financial structure of the deal involves loans, holding companies, and stock sales, though the exact funding mechanism remains unclear.