UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed support for India's bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). His endorsement follows similar statements from U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron. Addressing the UN General Assembly's seventy-ninth session in New York, Starmer highlighted the necessity for the UNSC to become a "more representative body." Currently, the UNSC consists of five permanent members—Russia, the UK, China, France, and the United States—and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly. The permanent members possess veto power over substantive resolutions, making reform a critical topic in global governance discussions.

During his UN General Assembly speech on September 25, 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron voiced strong support for India's permanent membership in the UN Security Council (UNSC). "Let’s make the UN more efficient," Macron urged, backing India's inclusion alongside Brazil, Germany, Japan, and two African nations. He emphasized that the UNSC must be "more representative" to address modern global challenges. Macron's statement echoed India's long-standing G4 push for UNSC reform. "India’s place is overdue," he added, stressing the need for expanded membership to ensure better global governance and conflict resolution.

French President Emmanuel Macron backed India's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council (UNSC) during his speech at the UN General Assembly. Macron emphasized the need for UNSC reform, advocating the inclusion of India, Brazil, Japan, Germany, and two African nations to make the body more representative. Macron’s comments align with past calls from world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who highlighted the lack of geographic balance in the UNSC, where only five nations currently hold permanent seats.

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jhumpa Lahiri has declined the 2024 Isamu Noguchi Award from New York City's Noguchi Museum, citing the institution's controversial dress code policy. The policy, implemented in August, prohibits employees from wearing clothing or accessories with "political messages, slogans or symbols" during work hours. The decision led to the firing of three employees wearing keffiyeh head scarves, a symbol of Palestinian solidarity. Lahiri's withdrawal comes in protest of this policy. The museum acknowledged Lahiri's decision, stating they respect her perspective and recognize the policy may not align with everyone's views.

An Iraqi Airways flight en route to China was diverted to Kolkata’s international airport on Thursday after a passenger fell sick 30 minutes before the plane was set to land. The flight crew made the decision to divert for emergency medical assistance. Upon landing, Kolkata airport authorities provided immediate medical support. The nature of the passenger’s illness and their current condition have not yet been disclosed. The quick response ensured the passenger received timely care, though further details about the incident are awaited. The flight resumed its journey after the emergency was addressed.

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Sacramento, California, was desecrated with anti-Hindu messages on Wednesday, marking the second such incident in the U.S. in the last ten days. The temple was vandalized with the phrase "Hindus go back." BAPS Public Affairs stated their commitment to standing united against hate and called for prayers for peace. Sacramento Police are investigating the incident as a hate crime, categorizing it as vandalism. In addition to the graffiti, the vandals also cut water lines at the temple property. Authorities are actively working to identify the individuals responsible for the vandalism.

In light of the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah conflict, the Indian embassy in Beirut has advised Indian citizens against traveling to Lebanon. The advisory, issued as a reminder of a previous warning from August 1, urges nationals already in the country to leave and exercise extreme caution. Meanwhile, the US is proposing a temporary ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, as recent Israeli airstrikes have resulted in 51 fatalities and 223 injuries in Lebanon. The situation remains tense, prompting increased calls for a diplomatic resolution and a two-state solution for the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Elon Musk apologized to Indian-American billionaire Vinod Khosla after a public dispute over an AI-generated image. Musk shared a doctored photo on X showing a sign on a beach that read, “No plebs allowed. Property of Vinod Khosla,” referring to Khosla's long legal battle to limit access to Martins Beach in California. Khosla, who denied ever putting up such a sign, demanded an apology for the misleading post, which he called a “falsehood.” Musk responded humorously, asking for forgiveness. The two have clashed over several issues, including AI, immigration, and the 2024 U.S. election.

At the UN Summit for the Future, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the urgent need for reforms in global institutions, asserting that "reform is the key to relevance." Addressing global challenges, he highlighted terrorism and emerging conflicts in cyberspace and maritime domains. Modi also showcased India’s commitment to sustainable development, noting the elevation of 250 million people from poverty. He reaffirmed India's readiness to share its Digital Public Infrastructure for global good and voiced the need for responsible technology governance, stating, “For India, One Earth One Family One Future is a commitment.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, reaffirming India's commitment to resolving the Ukraine conflict and restoring regional peace and stability. This marks their third meeting in three months, following previous discussions in Kyiv and Italy. PM Modi emphasized India's support for a peaceful resolution through diplomacy and dialogue, while President Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for India's backing of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The leaders also discussed strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation on international platforms like the UN and G20.