**Wednesday Briefing: Implications of Iran's Attack on Israel for the Middle East** In today's update, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that Iran "will pay" for its recent launch of nearly 200 ballistic missiles targeting Israel, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. Iran's missile barrage occurred on Tuesday evening as a response to a series of attacks on its allied groups. Tehran officials pointed to the assassinations of key commanders from Hezbollah and Hamas, including the recent killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, as well as Israel's military actions in Lebanon, as catalysts for this retaliation. In other news, during a vice-presidential debate, JD Vance refrained from confirming whether Donald Trump lost the 2020 election, evading questions about his potential certification of a Trump loss this autumn. This prompted sharp criticism from his Democratic opponent, Tim Walz. In the UK, government ministers have been cautioned against reviving Conservative plans to combat welfare fraud through mass algorithmic surveillance of bank accounts. Privacy advocates are concerned that the government may be preparing to implement a "snooper’s charter" that utilizes automation and possibly AI to address benefit fraud and errors, which reportedly cost the country £10 billion annually. In local news, a 14-year-old girl sustained potentially life-altering injuries, and a 16-year-old boy was hospitalized after a male assailant threw a substance believed to be acidic at them outside their school in London. In a public inquiry regarding nurse Lucy Letby, a senior doctor expressed his regret for not intervening sooner to prevent her from harming infants. He stated that police should have been alerted a year earlier, as doctors faced significant resistance from senior nursing staff when they raised concerns about Letby in early 2016. Lastly, astronomers have reported the reappearance of a comet that hasn't been visible from Earth since the time of Neanderthals. This celestial body may soon be observable to the naked eye, exciting stargazers and scientists alike. Stay informed as these stories develop.

The prospect of an expanded conflict in the Middle East appears increasingly likely, especially in light of the unsettling images emerging from Beirut. The current situation raises serious concerns about the immediate future, with many experts predicting a potential escalation of violence in the region. The ongoing tensions and complex geopolitical dynamics suggest that the risk of a wider war cannot be dismissed. As events unfold, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution but bracing for the possibility of further turmoil.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is set to address his followers in a highly anticipated televised speech on Thursday afternoon, aiming to galvanize support and encourage resistance against Israel. This comes in the wake of a series of unprecedented attacks that have left the Lebanon-based militant group in turmoil. On Tuesday, a catastrophic incident occurred when thousands of pagers utilized by Hezbollah exploded simultaneously, resulting in the deaths of 12 individuals, including two children, and injuring up to 2,800 others throughout Lebanon. The following day, another tragedy struck as walkie-talkies detonated in various locations, including supermarkets, streets, and funerals, leading to 25 fatalities and over 450 injuries. These events have heightened concerns about the potential for an all-out war between Hezbollah, which receives support from Iran, and Israel. In light of these developments, the United States has issued warnings to all parties in the Middle East, urging them to avoid any form of escalation. Nasrallah's upcoming speech is expected to address the recent violence and rally his supporters in a time of crisis.