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.

Indian chess prodigy D Gukesh secured a dramatic victory over Wei Yi in the 45th Chess Olympiad, helping India triumph 2.5-1.5 against China. R Praggnanandhaa, P Harikrishna, and Arjun Erigaisi played out draws, with Gukesh’s win in the endgame sealing the overall victory. Meanwhile, India’s women's team continued their undefeated run, defeating Georgia 3-1 with standout performances from R Vaishali and Vantika Agrawal. The Indian women’s team now leads with 14 points from seven rounds, maintaining their dominance in the tournament.

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.

A recent report from the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister shows that southern states now contribute 30% of India’s GDP. States like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana have seen rapid growth since economic liberalisation. In contrast, West Bengal, once a major contributor, now accounts for only 5.6% of the GDP, down from 10.5% in 1960-61. Experts are puzzled by West Bengal's decline despite its strategic location. The report also highlights that other regions like Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh are facing economic challenges.

The CBI informed a Kolkata court that there is "no evidence of gang-rape" in the case of a trainee doctor's death at RG Kar Medical College, but stated they are "still investigating" the matter. The agency requested a three-day custody extension for Sandip Ghosh, the former principal, and Abhijit Mondal, a former police officer, due to their lack of cooperation. "We have evidence of tampering and are exploring all possibilities," the CBI stated. Call records between Ghosh and Mondal are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation into the suspected rape and murder.

Anip Patel, CEO of CaPatel Investments, shared his disappointing experience on a $6,300 first-class Air India flight from New Delhi to Chicago. In a TikTok video, Patel described the 15-hour journey as a "nightmare." He showed torn seats, broken equipment, and dirty towels, while complaining that 30% of the food menu items were unavailable. Patel also mentioned the lack of entertainment and WiFi during the entire flight. Despite Air India’s $400 million revamp, Patel criticized the poor service, calling it the "worst first-class cabin" he had ever experienced.

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 father of the Kolkata doctor, who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College, blamed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for his daughter's death. "If the Chief Minister had taken action against Sandip Ghosh in 2021, my daughter would have been alive," he said, referring to the ex-principal of the hospital. He expressed solidarity with protesting doctors, calling them "his children." Ghosh is accused of delaying the murder FIR and covering up the crime as a suicide. The West Bengal government has now removed the Kolkata police chief, meeting one of the protesters' demands.

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.