A minor from Chhattisgarh was apprehended for sending bomb threats to four flights as part of a revenge plot against a friend. The class 11 dropout created a fake social media account in his friend’s name to implicate him in the hoax. Flights to New York, Muscat, and Jeddah were delayed or diverted for security checks, with no suspicious items found. Authorities arrested the minor in Rajnandgaon, investigating if there is a larger conspiracy. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu condemned the threats, urging for stricter security protocols and proposing hoax callers be added to a no-fly list.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presented a "victory plan" to parliament, outlining steps to strengthen Ukraine and end the war with Russia by next year. Key points include Ukraine joining NATO, long-range strikes on Russia, and no territorial compromise. Zelensky criticized Russia's allies, China, Iran, and North Korea, labeling them a "coalition of criminals." He plans to present the strategy at an EU summit. The Kremlin dismissed the plan, calling it "ephemeral." Zelensky emphasized continued military efforts against Russia, warning of President Putin's growing power and seeking further Western support for Ukraine’s war efforts.

At least 20 people, including a city mayor, were killed in Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon and Beirut on Wednesday. The strikes, targeting crowded areas, followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's vow to continue striking Hezbollah "without mercy." Explosions rocked Beirut’s southern suburbs, marking the first attack there in days. Hezbollah acting leader Sheikh Naim Kassem responded, promising increased attacks on Israel. The UN called for an investigation into Monday’s strike in northern Lebanon that killed 22, and expressed concern over Israel wounding UN peacekeepers. Over 1,400 people have died, and 1.2 million have been displaced in Lebanon.

London Underground workers are set to strike in November, with union Aslef announcing two 24-hour walkouts on November 7 and November 12. The strikes are expected to disrupt Tube services significantly, potentially shutting down operations entirely. Transport for London (TfL) Commissioner Andy Lord expressed disappointment over the decision, noting that members of Aslef and the RMT unions voted for the strikes in pursuit of a better pay offer. TfL had proposed a revised pay increase of 4.6% for workers, while train drivers on the Underground were offered a 4.5% raise. The situation remains tense as negotiations continue.

A video circulating on social media platform X features a dog on top of the Great Pyramid of Giza. The footage shows a man flying over the pyramid on a powered paraglider, with the dog visible in the background. ABC News shared the video on October 16, but the recording's date is unclear. The Great Pyramid, built as the tomb for Pharaoh Khufu, stands at over 480 meters tall and is the largest of the three pyramids in Giza. It is also the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Grand Egyptian Museum will open 12 new halls on October 17 for trial runs.

At least five people, including the mayor, were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a municipal building in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh, according to Lebanon's health ministry. The Israeli military confirmed it targeted several Hezbollah infrastructure sites in Nabatieh and aimed to dismantle "underground infrastructure." Earlier in the day, Israel struck Beirut for the first time in several days, focusing on a weapons facility in the Dahieh suburb. These strikes are part of ongoing military operations amid heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in the region, reflecting the escalating conflict in southern Lebanon.

Five people, including two children, were killed in a two-car crash on the M6 motorway near Tebay services in Cumbria on Tuesday at approximately 4:04 p.m. The collision involved a Toyota and a Skoda. Four occupants of the Toyota, consisting of a man, a woman, and two children from Glasgow, were declared dead at the scene. The driver of the Skoda, a man from Cambridgeshire, also died in the accident. A third child from the Toyota was seriously injured and transported to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle for medical treatment. Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the crash.

This morning, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out three strikes on the Beirut suburb of Dahieh, following a warning issued to civilians. The warning was posted by IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee on X at 6:09 a.m. local time, advising people to evacuate to a distance of at least 500 meters from the targeted building. Witnesses reported loud explosions in the area around 6:54 a.m., though the exact timing of the strikes is not confirmed. By 7:22 a.m., news agencies had begun filing photos showing smoke rising from the scene, indicating the strikes occurred shortly after the warning was given.

Labour MP Josh MacAlister has introduced the Safer Phones Bill, urging a legal ban on smartphones in schools to reduce their addictive effects on children. The bill aims to empower parents and teachers to control children's screen time and address concerns about excessive social media use. It has gained cross-party support, as well as backing from education unions, charities, and former children's commissioners. Despite Number 10 not supporting similar plans, MacAlister is pushing for changes to make smartphones and social media less addictive for children. Sir Keir Starmer has been encouraged to support the proposed legislation.

Taiwan reported a record 153 Chinese military aircraft detected around the island within 25 hours, ending at 6:00 a.m. on October 15, 2024. This follows large-scale military drills conducted by China, which involved fighter jets, drones, warships, and coast guard boats encircling Taiwan on October 14. In response, Taiwan dispatched its own forces and heightened alert levels on its outlying islands. The situation highlights ongoing tensions in the region as Taiwan monitors Chinese military activity closely. The Defence Ministry's statement marks the highest number of aircraft spotted in a single day.