Hurricane Milton is set to strike Florida, prompting urgent evacuation orders for over 5.5 million residents. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor warned that a predicted 15ft storm surge could completely submerge homes, saying, "So if you're in it, basically that's the coffin that you're in." Communities, still recovering from Hurricane Helene's devastation, face renewed danger. In Punta Gorda, remnants of flooded homes remain, with bull sharks spotted in streets. Mandatory evacuations have been issued for several counties, while voluntary evacuations are recommended for others as time runs out for residents to leave their homes.

Omar Abdullah, vice-president of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference, emphasized that statehood is the top priority for the region and criticized blaming Congress for the Haryana election results. In an interview, he expressed hope for the restoration of Article 370 and highlighted the need for healthy relations with the Centre, clarifying that good relations with the BJP would be challenging. Abdullah stated, “It is unfair to blame Congress for the results... Our alliance is intact.” He affirmed the coalition government's commitment to fulfilling promises made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Following Congress's significant defeat in the Haryana Assembly elections, a delegation will meet the Election Commission of India (ECI) at 6 PM today. Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, raised doubts about the vote-counting process, labeling the results "unexpected." In a letter to Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge, the ECI acknowledged the party's concerns. Gandhi hinted at a potential complaint regarding electronic voting machines (EVMs), stating, "We are analysing the unexpected result... We will inform the Election Commission about the complaints." The BJP won 48 of 90 seats, while Congress secured only 37.

Hurricane Milton is rapidly approaching Florida, prompting mass evacuations as a 15ft storm surge threatens to engulf homes. Experts warn it could be the most catastrophic storm in recent memory, with devastating winds reaching 165mph and floodwaters potentially reaching the height of a double-decker bus. Virgin Atlantic has canceled 23 return flights from the UK, stranding many tourists in Florida, where a state of emergency has been declared. Authorities issued mandatory evacuation orders, advising those who remain to prepare for self-sufficiency during the storm, as first responders will not be able to assist during the worst conditions.

David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John Jumper were awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work on protein structures. Baker received recognition for computational protein design, while Hassabis and Jumper were honored for predicting protein structures. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded them the prestigious prize, valued at 11 million Swedish crowns ($1.1 million). Their achievements advance the understanding of proteins, a crucial area in medicine and biotechnology. The award ceremony will take place in Stockholm on December 10, where the winners will receive their medals from the Swedish king.

During a foundation stone-laying ceremony for development projects worth ₹7,600 crore in Maharashtra, PM Modi criticized Congress for attempting to divide Hindus and using Muslims as a vote bank. Referring to BJP's victory in Haryana's assembly elections, Modi stated that OBCs and Dalits support the BJP, and Congress's tactics failed. He also announced major infrastructure upgrades, including metro expansions, solar energy projects, and new airport terminals in Maharashtra, calling it unprecedented development under BJP’s rule.

Pritpal Kaur, Superintendent of Police in Phek district, Nagaland, has been recognized as the only Indian in the International Association of Chiefs of Police's (IACP) global list of top 40 police officers under 40 for 2024. Known for her innovative community-strengthening projects, Kaur has garnered multiple awards, including the Global Women Leader Award 2024. She attributes her greatest honor to the tribal name "Themshao Lam," bestowed by the Khaimnuingan Naga community. Kaur will receive the award in Boston, Massachusetts, on October 22, 2024.

In the recent assembly elections in India, the Congress-National Conference coalition achieved a significant victory in Jammu and Kashmir, defying exit polls that forecasted a hung assembly. Conversely, Haryana saw the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secure a surprising third consecutive term, countering predictions of a Congress landslide. Analysts attributed Congress’s failure to overconfidence and internal strife. In Kashmir, the electorate demonstrated strong opposition to the BJP’s policies post-Article 370 revocation, signaling a need for policy reevaluation in the region. The election outcomes will influence upcoming regional elections across India.

In Gaza, Israel’s bombardment has released deadly asbestos particles, posing long-term health risks, including cancer. Experts estimate around 800,000 tonnes of debris are contaminated. Asbestos, which can lead to diseases like mesothelioma, is particularly dangerous when disturbed. Similar to post-9/11 exposure in New York, the ongoing conflict will likely result in cancer cases reported for decades. As Gaza remains densely populated, many are exposed to airborne asbestos with no escape or adequate cleanup. The legacy of this destruction will haunt the region for years, experts warn.

In a landmark ruling, the Delhi High Court has allowed a couple to access their deceased son’s frozen sperm for surrogacy, enabling them to potentially have a grandchild. Harbir Kaur and Gurvinder Singh, who lost their son Preet Inder Singh to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2020, faced a four-year legal battle against the refusal of Ganga Ram Hospital to release the semen sample. Justice Prathiba Singh ruled that parents can inherit sperm if no spouse or children are present. The couple aims to carry on their son’s legacy, with one daughter agreeing to be the surrogate.