SpaceX successfully caught its Starship Super Heavy booster for the first time during its fifth test flight, a significant achievement in space exploration. After reaching speeds over 17,000 mph, the booster was gently guided back to the Texas launchpad, where it was captured by mechanical arms, marking a leap towards reusable rocket technology. Elon Musk hailed the event as a "big step towards making life multi-planetary." Additionally, Starship completed a successful splashdown in the Indian Ocean, fulfilling both key objectives of the test.

Hamas had planned a more devastating assault on Israel than the October 7 attack, delaying the operation to secure support from Iran and Hezbollah, according to documents obtained by U.S. media outlets. The plans were reportedly outlined in meetings between January 2022 and August 2023, with requests for financial and military backing. The group considered various attack scenarios, including a 9/11-style strike on Tel Aviv. Although Iran and Hezbollah initially supported the operation, they required more time. Despite this, Hamas executed the October 7 attack, resulting in over 1,200 deaths in southern Israel.

Mumbai police arrested Dharmaraj Kashyap (19) and Gurmail Singh (23) for their involvement in the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique. A third attacker, Shiv Kumar, remains at large, while suspect Mohammad Jasin Akhtar, allegedly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, is also being investigated. Siddique was shot outside his son's Bandra office on Saturday. The attackers used the cover of firecracker noise to shoot him. Gurmail Singh has a criminal history, while Dharmaraj and Shiv Kumar, both from Uttar Pradesh, do not. The Bishnoi gang claims responsibility due to Siddique’s ties to actor Salman Khan, but police investigations continue.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to move UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon out of "harm's way" following injuries to five UNIFIL members from Israeli fire. Netanyahu stated that Israeli forces had repeatedly asked for the withdrawal of UNIFIL from positions within five kilometers of the border, but the peacekeepers refused. He warned that their presence provided a "human shield" to Hezbollah. UNIFIL, a mission of 9,500 troops, emphasized that their role is crucial for monitoring the ceasefire, refusing to leave their positions despite the escalating conflict.

Sheetal Raj, a 29-year-old from Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district, became the first Indian woman to scale Mount Cho Oyu, the world’s sixth-highest peak, on October 8, 2024. Raj, who previously scaled Mount Everest in 2019 as Uttarakhand's youngest woman to do so, continues to inspire women by encouraging them to pursue adventure sports. She credits her success to the Hans Foundation and Ethical Himalaya for their support in her mountaineering endeavors. Sharing her achievement on Instagram, she stated, "The world is yours" and urged women to dream big and work hard without fear.

A World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) report reveals a 73% decline in global wildlife populations over the past 50 years. The "Living Planet Report" examined 35,000 populations across over 5,000 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Freshwater species experienced the most severe decline, followed by terrestrial and marine vertebrates. Notable examples include a 65% drop in Brazil's pink river dolphins and a 78-81% reduction in Gabon's forest elephants due to poaching and habitat loss. WWF warns of irreversible damage unless urgent action is taken, with ecosystems like the Amazon facing devastating tipping points.

At least 4 people, including two children, were killed in an explosion at a gas station in Grozny, Chechnya, on October 12, 2024. The explosion, caused by a gas tank, triggered a large fire that was eventually put out by 35 firefighters. Authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the cause of the blast, which remains unknown. Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov announced he is overseeing the investigation personally. Last month, a similar explosion in Dagestan killed 13 people. Grozny is located 1,500 kilometers south of Moscow.

Actor Salman Khan has canceled all his meetings following the death of NCP leader Baba Siddique. His family has asked friends to respect their privacy during this difficult time. Sources say Khan is deeply saddened and has been checking on Siddique's family, especially his son, Zeeshan. Security outside Khan's home has increased due to concerns for his safety after Siddique's murder, which was confirmed as a contract killing. Khan's brothers, Arbaaz and Sohail, are also grieving the loss, as they were close to Siddique, who was like family to them.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his sorrow over Ratan Tata's death in a letter to Narendra Modi, stating, "I and many in Israel mourn the loss of Ratan Naval Tata, a proud son of India." Netanyahu praised Tata for his role in strengthening India-Israel relations. French President Emmanuel Macron called Tata a "dear friend from India," while U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti said, "India and the world have lost a giant with a giant heart." Bill Gates and Sundar Pichai also paid tribute to Tata’s lasting legacy.

An Israeli airstrike destroyed a 100-year-old mosque in Kfar Tibnit, southern Lebanon, on Sunday. Hezbollah clashed with Israeli forces in Ramya, escalating the ongoing conflict. A Red Cross team was also hit during a rescue operation, leaving them injured. The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) confirmed a third peacekeeper was wounded by Israeli fire. The conflict, which began over a year ago, has displaced over 1.2 million people in Lebanon and caused more than 2,100 deaths. Global leaders, including France and Russia, condemned Israel’s attacks on peacekeeping forces.