The world map many people commonly use can make India and other countries near the Equator appear smaller than their actual size because of the Mercator projection’s distortion. The United Nations has backed a move toward the Equal Earth projection, which preserves the relative areas of countries more accurately. India therefore appears somewhat larger on the Equal Earth map, while countries closer to the poles appear less exaggerated. The change is intended to provide a fairer geographical representation, particularly for Africa and other Global South regions. However, no flat map can perfectly represent Earth’s three-dimensional surface without some distortion. (PC: NDTV)

An Indian woman who recently moved to Mumbai after working in the US for nearly a decade has challenged the idea that American workplaces typically follow a strict 5 pm logout culture. Parinaya, a consultant in the US for almost nine years, said she regularly received messages from her manager in the evening, including questions about unanswered emails. She argued that overwork is common across countries and depends on jobs and companies. Parinaya also recalled feeling scrutinised as the only brown person on some work calls. Her comments sparked discussion online, with users sharing experiences of workplace culture in the US, Canada and Europe. (PC: HT)

India has supported a United Nations resolution promoting the Equal Earth map projection, designed to provide a more accurate representation of global land areas, particularly Africa. However, New Delhi clarified that its vote does not endorse any specific map, projection or depiction of national boundaries. The Ministry of External Affairs raised concerns over how Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, which India considers sovereign territory, may be represented in maps. India stressed that cartographic representations should respect its territorial sovereignty and established position. The UN resolution passed overwhelmingly, with 164 countries supporting it, while the United States opposed it. (PC: AFP)

Singapore police are investigating racist and xenophobic online comments linked to the Nepal-Tibet disaster and Singapore Airlines’ investment in Air India, Senior Minister K Shanmugam said. He called the remarks “shameful” and “totally unacceptable,” particularly comments targeting missing Singaporeans and the Indian community. Authorities may ask social-media platforms to remove content violating guidelines. Shanmugam also warned that allowing racist rhetoric to become normalised could damage Singapore’s multiracial social harmony. The controversy has intensified amid scrutiny of SIA’s Air India investment, with some online users directing ethnic attacks at company executives. Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong also condemned the racist backlash and urged Singaporeans to stand together. 

A Belgian chocolate replica of India Gate, intended as a gift for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, broke during its journey to India, the Belgian Embassy said. Prime Minister Bart De Wever had planned to present the elaborate sculpture to Modi during his India visit. Speaking at a joint press conference in New Delhi, De Wever joked that chocolate was “excellent for diplomacy” but not for diplomatic travel. He said a backup replica remained in Belgium and promised to deliver it to Modi safely. India Gate was chosen to reflect the shared history of India and Belgium, including Indian soldiers who fought in Belgium during World War I. (PC: India Today)

Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov said India buys Russian oil for its own development and not to support Moscow. Speaking to DD News, Alipov said New Delhi’s energy needs were the priority and Russia remained ready to supply as much oil as India requires. He also criticised Western sanctions and tariffs on countries buying Russian crude, calling them pressure tactics. India’s purchases of Russian oil increased after 2022 following G7 and EU price caps on Russian energy. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said India’s oil purchases will not determine the outcome of the Russia-Ukraine war, which he said must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. (PC: HT)

Twenty-year-old Surendra Singh Choudhry, popularly known online as Bittu Tabahi, has drawn global attention after spending months cleaning the heavily polluted Ajnar River in Madhya Pradesh largely on his own. He removed plastic, discarded waste and other rubbish from the river and nearby public spaces, paying for basic supplies himself. Surendra also shared before-and-after pictures showing the visible difference made by his efforts. His work later caught the attention of Dutch entrepreneur Boyan Slat, founder of The Ocean Cleanup, which works to remove plastic pollution from oceans and rivers. Slat responded to a post about Surendra’s work, saying, “Come work with us.” (PC: India Today)

The University of Oxford has agreed to repatriate 39 ancestral human remains belonging to the Naga people that were taken during British colonial rule and kept in its collections for decades. The remains are held by Oxford’s Pitt Rivers Museum, which has around 8,000 Naga objects, including human remains. A Naga delegation is expected to travel to the museum in November to receive the remains. The planned handover is expected to be the largest repatriation of human remains in the museum’s history. Naga representatives have sought their return for years, with formal discussions with the museum beginning in 2020. (PC: Scroll)

Denmark will introduce a new immigration pathway from January 1, 2027, allowing eligible employers to hire foreign workers from 16 selected countries, including India. The Collective Agreement-Based Business Scheme aims to help employers address labour shortages while ensuring workers receive proper employment conditions. Applicants must have a job with a certified Danish employer and earn at least DKK 322,000 annually under the 2026 salary level. Employers must meet requirements including having a relevant collective agreement and certification. The scheme will cover citizens of countries including India, the US, UK, Canada, Japan, Australia, China and Singapore, among others. (PC: X)

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever said Europe ignored Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier warnings about the dangers of depending too much on other countries for trade and industry.   Speaking at a CII event, De Wever said Europe was now facing a “rude awakening” as economic dependence was being used as a tool for pressure.   He said India understood these risks earlier than Europe. De Wever also called India an important partner for Europe. He said both sides should work together on trade, investment, technology and stronger supply chains in a changing global environment.