India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, will lead a delegation to Islamabad for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on October 15-16. Both India and Pakistan have ruled out bilateral talks during the visit, stating that the focus remains on multilateral cooperation. This will be the first visit by an Indian External Affairs Minister to Pakistan in nine years. Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch referred to Jaishankar's previous remarks that his visit was strictly for the SCO event and not to discuss India-Pakistan relations.

Former Indian cricket captain and Congress leader Mohammed Azharuddin appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) today in connection with a money laundering case. The investigation pertains to alleged financial irregularities within the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), where Azharuddin served as president. The ED is questioning him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Azharuddin was initially summoned on October 3 but requested a new date, appearing today, October 8. The 61-year-old has denied the allegations, calling them “false” and politically motivated, aimed at damaging his reputation.

Iltija Mufti, daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, conceded defeat in Bijbehara, a stronghold of the Mufti family, during her electoral debut in the J&K Assembly elections. "I accept the verdict of the people," she posted on X, expressing gratitude to her supporters. Iltija gained prominence following her mother’s detention after Article 370’s revocation. She ran as the face of PDP, taking over from her mother, who won from the same constituency in 1996. Despite the loss, Iltija expressed gratitude for the love and support she received from Bijbehara.

At a campaign event in Miami, Donald Trump stated, "The October 7 attack would never have happened if I was president." Speaking at Trump National Doral Golf Club to mark the first anniversary of the Hamas attack on Israel, Trump urged Americans to "never forget the nightmare of that day." He honored the victims and criticized current U.S. foreign policy, implying his administration would have prevented the attack. The October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas militants killed thousands, triggering a major conflict and ongoing violence in the region.

Karachi police have identified Shah Fahad as the suicide bomber responsible for the explosion near Jinnah International Airport on October 7, 2024. The blast claimed the lives of three foreign nationals and injured 17 others. Fahad registered the vehicle used in the attack on September 5, 2023. He arrived in Karachi twice, with his last stay recorded on October 4, 2024, before checking out on the day of the attack. Authorities have established a 3-kilometer security perimeter and arrested multiple suspects, while the investigation continues into the bomber's connections and leaked information about Chinese engineers.

The Israeli military claimed responsibility for the death of Suhail Hussein Husseini, Hezbollah’s logistics unit head, during airstrikes on a Beirut compound on October 7, 2024. The strike was executed based on intelligence from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). There was no immediate response from Hezbollah. This comes days after Israeli forces targeted and killed three senior Hamas commanders in Gaza. The region has seen intense conflict since Hamas’ attack on Israel in 2023, which killed 1,200 people, sparking a war that has now claimed over 41,000 lives.

India’s first female Olympic gymnast, Dipa Karmakar, announced her retirement after 25 years in gymnastics. Known for her historic fourth-place finish at the 2016 Rio Olympics and for successfully executing the Produnova vault, Karmakar shared the emotional decision on social media. She expressed pride in her journey, recalling how she overcame challenges like flat feet. After missing qualification for the Paris Olympics, she hinted at a future role as a coach or mentor. Karmakar’s career includes a Commonwealth bronze, Asian Championship medals, and prestigious awards like the Khel Ratna and Padma Shri.

Israel held memorials to remember the victims of the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack, which killed 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to prevent future assaults. As the day unfolded, Israel intercepted over 130 Hezbollah rockets from Lebanon, while ballistic missiles were fired from Yemen. Israeli airstrikes targeted Hezbollah, killing more than 1,400 and displacing 1.2 million in Lebanon. US and Israeli officials warned of further escalation as Hezbollah vowed continued resistance. Global leaders condemned the attacks, calling for de-escalation.

Ukraine delivered a double blow to Russia on President Vladimir Putin’s 72nd birthday by hacking Russian state TV and destroying Crimea’s largest oil terminal. A cyberattack on VGTRK, Russia’s main state broadcaster, disrupted TV and radio broadcasts, causing severe damage to the network. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces launched a kamikaze drone strike on the Feodosia Oil Terminal in Crimea, igniting massive fires and disrupting military oil supplies. Ukraine's Armed Forces confirmed the successful attack, continuing efforts to undermine Russia’s military capabilities. Despite the attacks, ultra-nationalist figures like Alexander Dugin publicly wished Putin a happy birthday.

Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm, is set to hit Florida, marking the second major hurricane in just weeks. With winds reaching 180 mph, evacuation orders have been issued in areas like Tampa, potentially facing its worst storm in 100 years. Vice President Kamala Harris criticized Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for "political gamesmanship" amid recovery efforts from Hurricane Helene. As Milton approaches, authorities warn of significant storm surges and heavy rainfall, with severe flooding expected. Mexico's Yucatan peninsula is also bracing for impact as the storm churns eastward.