Japanese firm Icom is investigating reports that its discontinued walkie-talkies were involved in deadly explosions in Lebanon. The company clarified that the devices, out of production since 2014, required batteries discontinued nearly a decade ago. Icom stated, "We are currently investigating the facts surrounding this matter." The explosions, which have claimed 20 lives and injured over 450, occurred in Hezbollah-controlled regions of Lebanon. This follows the detonation of pagers used by Hezbollah members, causing 12 deaths and 2,800 injuries the day before. While Israel has not commented, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant hinted at a “new phase in the war.”

Walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah exploded across Lebanon on Wednesday, killing 14 people and injuring over 450. The explosions occurred just a day after similar blasts involving pagers rocked the southern region and Beirut’s suburbs, where Hezbollah holds significant influence. One of the blasts took place during a funeral procession for Mahdi Ammar, son of Lebanese MP Ali Ammar. Hezbollah has accused Israel of infiltrating their telecommunications system, leading to these explosions. Mossad is suspected of planting explosives in pagers used by the group. Tensions are rising as Hezbollah retaliates with rocket attacks on Israeli artillery.

Ukrainian drones targeted a missile warehouse deep in Russia’s Tver region, about 300 miles from the border, on September 18. The strike triggered a massive explosion, obliterating the ammunition depot. A Ukrainian security official confirmed that the attack was orchestrated by military intelligence and special forces, describing it as a complete destruction of the facility. This comes amid Ukraine’s efforts to convince Western allies to lift restrictions on the weapons supplied for such operations. The attack underscores Ukraine's growing capability to hit military targets far inside Russian territory.

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has unveiled plans to pedestrianise a 0.7-mile stretch of Oxford Street, aiming to restore its former retail prominence. The street has been heavily impacted by the rise of online shopping and the Covid-19 pandemic. Backed by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, the project is expected to boost economic growth by creating jobs and revitalising London's night-time economy. However, Westminster City Council, responsible for the area, has expressed concerns over practical challenges. The £150 million project will require collaboration between local businesses, funders, and the council for its execution.

14 people have died and over 300 were hurt after walkie-talkies exploded in Hezbollah-controlled areas in Lebanon. The blasts occurred a day after similar explosions involving pagers, which left 12 dead and thousands wounded. Hezbollah blamed Israel for the attacks, calling them a "massacre." Israeli spy agency Mossad allegedly planted explosives in communication devices used by Hezbollah. The explosions have heightened tensions between Hezbollah and Israel, leading to further cross-border violence. Iran-backed Hezbollah has vowed to retaliate and continue supporting Hamas in Gaza.

The UK has launched a campaign urging immigrants, including Indians, to switch from physical immigration documents to eVisas. By December 2024, many biometric residence permits (BRPs), visa vignette stickers, and biometric residence cards (BRCs) will expire. The government aims to fully digitize its immigration system, making eVisas the standard. The switch is free, secure, and prevents issues like lost or stolen documents. The UK government is providing £4 million in support for those needing help with the process. A nationwide ad campaign will raise awareness and encourage action before the deadline.

The US Coast Guard has released chilling details from the Titan submersible's final moments before its fatal implosion during a 2023 Titanic expedition. The last communication from the crew was a terse “All good here” as they descended into dangerous depths. The Titan’s broken tail cone and debris, found 12,500 feet deep, confirm a catastrophic implosion. The incident, which killed five people including British explorer Hamish Harding, has raised serious safety concerns about deep-sea exploration. The ongoing investigation will examine possible design flaws and procedural failures.

At least 12 people, including two children, were killed and thousands injured after pagers exploded across Lebanon on Tuesday. Reports suggest Israel's Mossad placed explosives in Hezbollah's pagers, detonating them earlier than planned over fears Hezbollah had discovered the plot. Hezbollah had adopted pagers after banning mobile phones for security reasons. The pagers were believed to contain up to 20 grams of military-grade explosives. Israeli and U.S. sources confirmed the attack, while a Taiwanese firm denied involvement, stating the devices were made by a Hungarian company.

A Ukrainian drone strike triggered a massive explosion at a Russian ammunition depot in the Tver region, 380 km west of Moscow. The blast, equivalent to 200-240 tons of high explosives, forced the evacuation of nearby residents, with NASA satellites detecting intense heat. Ukrainian sources claim the attack destroyed a warehouse containing missiles and artillery. Russian state media, under military censorship, confirmed drones were shot down and a fire had broken out. War bloggers questioned the facility’s security measures. No casualties have been reported yet.

Hezbollah’s attempt to avoid Israeli surveillance by switching to old-fashioned pagers backfired in a deadly attack, killing at least 9 people and injuring nearly 3,000 across Lebanon. The militant group, which had stopped using mobile phones due to security concerns, adopted a new brand of pagers that were reportedly rigged with explosives. The blasts occurred simultaneously, leaving both Hezbollah fighters and civilians wounded, including children. Hezbollah has accused Israel of orchestrating the attack, calling it "criminal aggression" and vowing retaliation. The explosions have raised concerns of escalating tensions in an already volatile region.