North Korea displays new hypersonic, nuclear missiles at military parade on ruling party’s 80th anniversary

North Korea unveiled new hypersonic and long-range nuclear missiles during a military parade in Pyongyang on Friday night, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the ruling Workers’ Party of Korea, reports 24brussels.

The parade occurred in Kim Il Sung Square and featured significant weaponry, including the Hwasong-11Ma hypersonic missile and the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). These were described by state media as North Korea’s “most powerful nuclear weapons.” Kim Jong Un addressed the crowd, emphasizing the need for the armed forces to evolve into an “invincible” entity.

Kim stated, “Our army should continue to grow into an invincible entity that destroys all threats approaching our range of self-defence by dint of its political, ideological, military and technical superiority overwhelming the enemy, and it should steadily strengthen itself into elite armed forces which win victory after victory on the strength of morality and discipline.”

Online footage featured soldiers marching, missile launchers parading through the streets, and crowds celebrating under dazzling lights, marking North Korea’s first significant military display in two years. A month prior, Kim attended a military parade in Beijing, strengthening North Korea’s ties with China and Russia.

The Hwasong-11Ma is engineered for hypersonic flight exceeding five times the speed of sound and can change direction mid-flight, complicating interception for defense systems. This model utilizes a warhead delivered via a boost glide vehicle system for unpredictable targeting, alongside solid fuel for expedited launches and improved transport.

Also showcased was the Hwasong-20, believed to carry nuclear warheads with a strike range extending to the United States. Earlier this year, North Korea announced the conclusion of final testing on a new high-powered rocket engine constructed from carbon-fiber materials for the Hwasong-20, which experts predict will also power the Hwasong-19, another long-range missile capable of reaching US territory.

The parade was attended by senior North Korean officials and likely guests from China, Russia, and Vietnam. Although Kim Jong Un was present, it remains unclear whether he delivered a speech or if his daughter, Kim Ju-ae, accompanied him, as she has at previous military events.

Brutal shooting at Ahmadi worship site in Lahore reveals escalating hatred, state apathy in Pakistan

Lahore, October 11, 2025: In an incident highlighting the persecution of Pakistan’s Ahmadiyya community, a gunman opened fire outside the Baitul Mehdi worship place in Chenab Nagar, Chiniot district, injuring six volunteer security guards. The attack underscores the deteriorating climate of intolerance faced by this marginalized group, reports 24brussels.

The assailant was recorded on CCTV approaching the gate before indiscriminately firing at the guards, who are all members of the Ahmadi community. Despite their injuries, the guards managed to close the main entrance, effectively preventing a more severe incident. Responding officers engaged the shooter, killing him at the scene.

The injured guards were transported to a local hospital, where four were reported stable and two remained in critical condition. The attacker’s body has been placed in a morgue as police launch an investigation into the shooting.

Ahmadiyya spokesperson Aamir Mahmood condemned the assault, denouncing the growing atmosphere of hate that encourages such violence. He urged the government to take decisive action against hate preachers and ensure the protection of Ahmadi citizens.

This latest incident has drawn attention to the vulnerability of the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan, which has long faced systemic discrimination and violence. Human rights observers warn that rampant hate speech and governmental inaction empower extremists, as exemplified by the recent attack.

Pakistan continues to face international condemnation for its entrenched religious intolerance. A recent report by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) highlighted the systematic persecution of the Ahmadiyya community and the troubling rise in forced conversions and blasphemy-related violence across the nation.

According to reports, the Pakistani Penal Code discriminates against Ahmadis, forbidding them from identifying as Muslims or publicly practicing their faith. The USCIRF documented a significant increase in violence against Ahmadis in 2025, including the demolition of three Ahmadi mosques in Punjab within ten days in February.

In April, a mob of over 400 attacked another Ahmadi mosque, leading to the lynching of Laeeq Cheema, an activist documenting previous assaults. Police subsequently arrested 13 individuals connected to the killing. In March, two Ahmadi men were assaulted inside a courtroom, resulting in the death of one, Tahir Mahmood.

Tragically, another Ahmadi, Sheikh Mahmood, was killed in Sargodha following repeated death threats. Reports indicate that authorities in Punjab have excluded Ahmadis from property auctions and even filed cases against 42 members for praying in private homes. During Eid, courts ordered police to prevent Ahmadis from congregating, leading to the arrest of 22 worshippers in Sialkot.