Walkie-talkies explode across Lebanon: What we know

Plus, XEC, the new Covid variant, threatens a fall surge. September 19, 2024 | [VIEW IN BROWSER]( [This is TODAY] A wave of walkie-talkie explosions hit Lebanon a day after hundreds of pagers detonated. Plus, what to know about the new Covid variant XEC, and how an experiment of getting a "night off" from parenting every week helped an exhausted mom.   The Latest   Walkie-talkies exploded across Lebanon in a second wave of attacks](. A [wave of walkie-talkie explosions]( hit Lebanon yesterday, killing 20 people, injuring 450 others and igniting fires across the country, a day after [hundreds of pagers]( belonging to Hezbollah members detonated in an unprecedented attack on the militant group. "We are at the start of a [new phase in the war](," Israel's defense minister said yesterday without mentioning the explosions. Two U.S. officials said Israel was behind the attack targeting Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militia and political party that the U.S. considers a terrorist organization. [Here's the latest,]( plus what NBC News has learned [about the covert operation](. [😷 A new XEC Covid variant is on the rise. What are its symptoms, and will it cause a surge?]( A new [Covid variant called XEC]( is spreading rapidly in Europe and other parts of the world, with experts projecting it [could become the dominant strain]( in the U.S. this fall. A doctor we spoke with called the new variant "quite contagious," but whether it will cause a fall or winter surge of cases remains to be seen. [Here's what to know,]( plus the latest on the [Covid booster vaccines]( approved last month. [I take at least 1 night off from parenting every week. The experiment has saved my family.]( [Exhausted mom]( Gesche Haas was worn out from trying to balance her career and parenting two toddlers, so she and her husband tried an experiment. They would each get [one or two nights "off" from parenting]( each week. "The impact was immediate and profound," Haas wrote in an essay for TODAY.com. She found herself being a happier parent thanks to the "lifeline" of time away. [Continue reading](.   Shop TODAY   Budget-friendly deals, gift guides and more from Shop TODAY. [Amazon essentials for fall: Kitchen hacks, skin care and more]( With the official start of the season just days away, our Shop TODAY team is sharing products you’ll want for fall from Hanes, Cuisinart and more top brands. [SHOP NOW](   Start TODAY   Achieve your life and health goals with easy tips. Podiatrists shared tips on how to pick out the best orthopedic shoes, plus we have affordable options you can shop from Hoka, Brooks, Orthofeet and more. [READ MORE]( [GET THE NEWSLETTER](   What's For Dinner?   Allow us to do the meal-planning for you Chef Mark Bittman turns the concept of a frittata into a customizable egg pizza for a perfect meal to make with kids. [VIEW RECIPE]( [♡ SAVE RECIPE](   Daily Delight   A little pick-me-up before you go. [2-month-old baby pygmy hippo]( named named Moo Deng (above, left) has become a "lifestyle icon," racking up millions of views online from fans who can't get enough. Moo Deng lives at a zoo in Thailand that had had to limit visitors to five-minute increments because her skyrocketing popularity was causing safety concerns. "Moo Deng the most beautiful girl in the world," [one fan wrote on X](. [See more photos](.   Thanks for letting us in your inbox! See you tomorrow. Written by Scott Stump | Edited by Philip Caulfield Enjoying This is TODAY? Invite a friend to[subscribe here.]( Send us Feedback Follow us on Facebook More TODAY Newsletters Copyright © 2024 TODAY | 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10112 [MANAGE SUBSCRIPTION]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE](listvar=sub_today) | [PRIVACY]( | [SEND FEEDBACK](