Elon Musk has denied rumors of an affair with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after the two were photographed together at a black-tie event in New York. Musk presented Meloni with the Global Citizen Award, sparking speculation due to their warm interaction. Musk dismissed the rumors on social media, clarifying that he attended the event with his mother and there was no romantic relationship. Meloni, who split from her long-time partner in 2023, called Musk a "precious genius" during the event. Both have met previously, sharing common concerns over Western conservatism and declining birth rates.

Israel has rejected a ceasefire proposal for Lebanon, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denying reports of an agreement with Hezbollah. The proposed 21-day ceasefire, backed by the US and France, aimed to pause hostilities along the Israel-Lebanon "Blue Line." Netanyahu instructed the Israeli military to continue its full-force operations against Hezbollah, which has fired hundreds of missiles into Israel. Over 600 people have died in Lebanon since Israel intensified airstrikes, threatening further escalation. Israel's military chief has hinted at a potential ground assault on Lebanon, urging forces near the border to prepare for possible action.

As the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon intensifies, several countries have started preparing to evacuate their citizens. Australia has urged its 15,000 nationals to leave, with plans for sea evacuations in place. Canada is coordinating with Australia to use commercial vessels for evacuations, while the UK has deployed 700 troops to Cyprus. The US is sending troops to Cyprus to assist in evacuation planning. Other countries, like Portugal, are working with EU partners for evacuation operations. Cyprus and Turkey are expected to be key evacuation hubs, with contingency plans heavily relying on sea routes.

In a heartwarming moment at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, the Pakistan team posed for photos with the Indian flag alongside the Indian chess contingent. This gesture followed India’s historic double gold medal achievement, with both the men’s and women’s teams claiming their first-ever gold medals. The event marks a milestone in Indian chess, with stars like D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa dominating. The video has gone viral, drawing comparisons to a previous incident involving Pakistan’s hockey team holding Chinese flags during the Asian Champions Trophy.

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.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has directed the military to continue operations at full force, stating there has been no response to a proposed ceasefire deal. His office clarified that reports of a ceasefire are inaccurate, labeling the proposal as an American-French initiative that Netanyahu has not acknowledged. The prime minister emphasized that military action in Gaza will persist until all war objectives are fulfilled. Concurrently, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported ongoing attacks against Hezbollah in Lebanon, aimed at dismantling the group's capabilities and infrastructure. Netanyahu’s stance indicates a firm commitment to escalating military efforts despite international calls for a ceasefire.

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.

Heavy rainfall triggered a landslide on the Mumbra bypass road in Mumbai on Wednesday evening, but there were no reported injuries. Fire Officer Swapnil Sarnobat confirmed that the landslide occurred due to persistent rain, with the incident reported around 9:30 PM. The area is known to be susceptible to landslides during heavy rain. Crews have cleared the rocks from the road. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted continued rainfall in Mumbai until October 1. An orange alert has been issued for the city, while a red alert is in effect for Thane, Palghar, and Raigad districts.

British influencer Sam Pepper was hospitalised during his trip to India after consuming Bhang Lassi. He reported that his health deteriorated after trying the drink, which he described as "street milk." In a video shared on social media, he mentioned that he consumed Bhang Lassi at a shop and subsequently smoked weed. Following the incident, Pepper decided to stop his trip to India. His experience underscores the potential health risks associated with trying unfamiliar foods and substances, especially for tourists. India is known for its diverse cultural and culinary experiences, but this incident serves as a reminder to exercise caution when exploring local offerings.

The United States, France, and allied countries have called for an immediate 21-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, alongside support for a truce in Gaza. This announcement followed an emergency UN Security Council meeting regarding the ongoing conflict in Lebanon. The joint statement from the White House noted that the situation between Lebanon and Israel since October 8, 2023, has become intolerable and poses an unacceptable risk of wider regional escalation. This date marks when Hezbollah began its attacks on northern Israel in response to Hamas’s assault on October 7. A U.S. official mentioned that a decision regarding the ceasefire could be expected “within hours” from Israel and Hezbollah.