Israel is preparing a significant response to Iran's recent missile attack, which involved 180 ballistic missiles targeting civilian and military areas across the country. Israeli officials confirmed no critical infrastructure was hit but stressed that their forthcoming response would be "serious and significant." The United States has expressed concern, with President Biden advising against striking Iranian oil facilities. Israel has not ruled out targeting Iran's nuclear sites, heightening regional tensions. Iran, in turn, has threatened to attack Israeli power plants and oil refineries if retaliated against. Israeli retaliation is anticipated, but the timing remains unclear.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar announced his upcoming visit to Pakistan for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on October 15-16, emphasizing that the trip is solely for multilateral discussions, not bilateral talks. This marks the first visit by a high-ranking Indian minister to Pakistan in nearly a decade. Jaishankar stated, “I’m going there to be a good member of the SCO,” adding he would behave accordingly. The minister also expressed concern over escalating conflicts in the Middle East and their broader implications for global stability, linking them to ongoing tensions in Ukraine.

Hindu American groups flew an airline banner over New York, calling for urgent global intervention to stop violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. The banner circled the Statue of Liberty, drawing attention to the ongoing attacks targeting the Hindu community. With Bangladesh’s Hindu population dropping from 20% in 1971 to 8.9% today, recent reports highlight over 250 attacks since August 2024. Activist Sitangshu Guha stated, “Hindus in Bangladesh are on the verge of extinction. If Bangladesh becomes Hindu-free, it will become Afghanistan 2.0.” Calls for UN action and economic boycotts of Bangladeshi garments are intensifying.

Following Iran's launch of 181 ballistic missiles targeting Israeli military bases, Israel’s response remains unclear. A top U.S. State Department official stated it’s “really hard to tell” if Israel will strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, though such actions remain a possibility before or after the October 7 anniversary of Hamas' attacks. The missile barrage triggered nationwide air raid sirens, with most intercepted, though some caused injuries and damage. U.S. officials emphasized Israel’s right to defend itself, while President Biden discouraged targeting Iran’s nuclear sites, suggesting alternative responses.

Hashem Safieddine, Hezbollah's presumed new leader and successor to Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Beirut. The airstrike targeted a meeting of senior Hezbollah officials, less than a week after Nasrallah’s death in a similar Israeli operation. Safieddine was known for his leadership of Hezbollah's executive council and his involvement in military operations. Israeli forces have been conducting intensified strikes in Lebanon amid rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Over 2,000 people have been killed in Lebanon since the conflict escalated last year. The IDF has not yet confirmed Safieddine's death.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused Congress of using drug money to win elections following the Rs 5,620-crore drug bust in Delhi. Over 560 kg of cocaine and 40 kg of hydroponic marijuana were seized from a Mahipalpur godown on October 2. Modi claimed that the Congress is pushing youth towards drug use, with the alleged mastermind, Tushar Goyal, previously serving as chairman of Congress’s RTI cell in Delhi. Congress denied the allegations, stating Goyal was removed from the party in 2022 due to anti-party activities.

Saeed Atallah, a senior figure in Hamas's armed wing, was reportedly killed alongside his wife and two children in an Israeli drone strike on the Beddawi Palestinian refugee camp in Tripoli, northern Lebanon. The attack, which has been attributed to Israeli forces by Lebanese daily An-Nahar, completely destroyed the apartment where Atallah and his family were residing. While Hamas has not officially confirmed his death, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, an allied militant group, has stated that Atallah and his family were among the casualties, highlighting the ongoing violence in the region.

Congress candidate Vinesh Phogat, representing Julana constituency, called on voters to support the party championing women's rights during the Haryana assembly elections. After voting in Charkhi Dadri, the Olympic wrestler described the elections as a festive occasion and emphasized the importance of casting ballots. “Vote for the party that works for the rights of women; you know which party I’m speaking of,” Phogat stated, recalling past BJP actions affecting farmers. With 1,031 candidates competing for 90 seats, the election results will be announced on October 8, 2024.

Israel has not assured the United States it will refrain from targeting Iran's nuclear facilities amid rising tensions after Iran's missile strikes. A senior State Department official stated, "It is really hard to tell" regarding Israel's potential actions. President Biden urged Israel to consider alternatives to striking oil fields, emphasizing the need to avoid escalating conflict. Netanyahu vowed a strong response to Iran's missile barrage, which included 180 missiles aimed at Israel, prompting warnings from Iran that retaliation could include strikes on Israeli energy facilities. Communication between US and Israeli officials continues but lacks clarity on a response timeline.

Scientists at the University of Oxford are developing OvarianVax, the world’s first vaccine for ovarian cancer, which aims to eliminate the disease. This innovative jab trains the immune system to recognize early-stage ovarian cancer and could be offered preventatively on the NHS. Led by Professor Ahmed Ahmed, the research focuses on targeting over 100 proteins on cancer cells. With funding of up to £600,000 from Cancer Research UK, the team plans to conduct clinical trials in women with BRCA mutations and the general population, potentially transforming ovarian cancer treatment in the next five years.