Israel launched multiple airstrikes on Hezbollah's military headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, on Friday. Israeli sources claim Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was present at the time, but his fate remains unclear. The strikes are part of Israel's ongoing military operations against Hezbollah, escalating tensions in the region. Rescue efforts are underway as the Israeli military assesses the situation. The Lebanese government has condemned the strikes, calling for international intervention to prevent further escalation.

Three Just Stop Oil activists threw soup at two of Vincent van Gogh’s paintings in London’s National Gallery. This act of defiance followed the jailing of two activists for a similar stunt in 2022. The targeted artworks, including "Sunflowers," were unharmed, but the frames were slightly damaged. The group seeks to draw attention to the climate crisis and demand an end to fossil fuel licensing. The activists were arrested, and Just Stop Oil emphasized their stance against the UK government’s environmental policies.

Israel targeted Hezbollah’s central headquarters in Beirut on Friday, with residents reporting large blasts and smoke in the city’s southern suburbs. The Israeli military confirmed the strike, while rescue workers searched the rubble. The attack came shortly after Prime Minister Netanyahu’s address at the UN, where he rejected calls for an immediate ceasefire and warned Iran of Israel’s reach across the Middle East. Israel is reportedly preparing for a potential ground incursion in Lebanon as the conflict intensifies.

Over 700 people have died in Israel's offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon this week, with 25 casualties reported on Friday. Israeli forces have increased their military presence near the northern border, signaling an impending ground invasion. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning that Lebanon could face destruction if Hezbollah's rocket attacks continue. As Israel conducts heavy bombardments, over 30,000 people have been displaced, and countries prepare for evacuations of their citizens from Lebanon. The humanitarian crisis deepens as hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties.

At Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool, business leaders sought clarity on the party’s economic policies following its election victory. Chancellor Rachel Reeves hinted at a potential relaxation of fiscal rules to prioritize UK investment in the upcoming budget on October 30. Meanwhile, leader Keir Starmer urged executives to collaborate directly with the government. Labour’s “new deal for working people” aims to reform employment rights, including banning zero-hours contracts. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds confirmed legislative plans will be announced by October 10, promising a maximum six-month probation period and protections against unfair dismissal.

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels fired a missile and drone at Israel, targeting Tel Aviv and Ashkelon, in retaliation for the killing of Hezbollah's senior drone chief, Mohammed Srur. The missile was intercepted by Israel’s Arrow defense system, while warning sirens were triggered across central Israel. Though no direct injuries were reported, 17 people sustained minor injuries while rushing to shelters. The Houthis’ leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, declared they “will not hesitate” to support Hezbollah. This escalation raises concerns about a wider regional conflict, with Israel already facing intensified attacks from multiple fronts, including Gaza and Lebanon.

Two boys, aged 12 at the time, have been detained for a minimum of 8 years and 6 months for the murder of 19-year-old Shawn Seesahai in Wolverhampton, UK. Seesahai, originally from Anguilla, was attacked with a machete in Stowlawn playing fields in November 2023. The boys, now 13, inflicted multiple wounds, including a fatal 23cm-deep blow that punctured Seesahai's heart. Mrs Justice Tipples called the attack "horrific and shocking." Seesahai's parents expressed deep grief and called for harsher sentences, saying "murder is murder." One boy admitted to owning the weapon, while both were convicted of murder.

A 3,600-year-old piece of kefir cheese has been discovered on a mummified woman's neck in the Xiaohe Cemetery, Xinjiang, China. Found during a 2003 excavation, the cheese was identified after DNA analysis of samples from three tombs. The research, published in Cell, highlights the use of kefir grains to ferment milk from goats and cows, despite the Xiaohe people being lactose intolerant. The Tarim Basin’s arid climate preserved the remains. Qiaomei Fu, paleogeneticist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, noted the cheese’s dry and dense texture but firmly declined to taste it, saying "no way."

Hezbollah launched missiles into northern Israel's Tiberias and Kiryat Ata, prompting sirens and interceptions. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed some projectiles were intercepted, while others fell in open areas. Hezbollah claimed responsibility on Telegram, citing support for Palestinians in Gaza and defense of Lebanon. In response, the IDF destroyed the launcher and struck additional Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon. The incident marks an escalation in Israel-Hezbollah tensions. No casualties were reported. The exchange follows recent hostilities between Israel and Gaza-based militants.

Tensions are rising in Bangladesh as the Hindu community prepares for Durga Puja, their biggest festival. Radical Islamic groups are protesting the open celebration, opposing nationwide holidays and idol immersion, citing environmental and social concerns. Insaf Keemkari Chhatra-Janta, an Islamist organization, staged a protest in Dhaka with placards demanding "no worship everywhere by closing roads, no pollution to water by idol immersion, no worship to idols." Extremist groups also marched against Hindus using a playground in Dhaka's Sector 13 for celebrations. This comes amid a history of sectarian violence, with over 3,679 attacks on Hindus reported since 2013.