At the UN Summit of the Future in New York, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that humanity's success lies in collective strength, not on the battlefield. He advocated for a "human-centric approach" prioritizing sustainable development and called for reforms in global institutions to ensure peace and progress. During his three-day visit to the US, Modi highlighted India’s readiness to share its digital public infrastructure globally. He also engaged in a bilateral meeting with President Joe Biden, reinforcing the strong partnership between the two nations. The summit aims to address pressing global challenges, including climate change and conflicts.

The Film Federation of India's (FFI) citation for Laapataa Ladies, India's official Oscar entry, has faced backlash for describing Indian women as a "strange mix of submission and dominance." This controversial statement was part of the document submitted to the Academy. Critics on social media highlighted the all-male selection committee and expressed outrage over the language used. The film, directed by Kiran Rao, follows two rural brides whose lives are humorously intertwined. Producer Aamir Khan expressed pride in the film's selection, emphasizing its feminist themes and diverse representation.

Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have resulted in a death toll of 274, including 21 children and 31 women, according to the health ministry. The attacks, which began after evacuation warnings were issued by Israel, have caused over 1,024 injuries, marking the deadliest military assault since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah conflict. Lebanese Prime Minister has labeled the strikes as "genocide." In retaliation, Hezbollah has launched rockets into Israel, escalating tensions in the region. The situation remains dire as both sides engage in fierce military exchanges, prompting international concerns about the humanitarian crisis.

  India made history at the 45th Chess Olympiad, winning gold in both men's and women's categories for the first time. The men's team triumphed over Slovenia, while the women's team defeated Azerbaijan 3.5-0.5 in the finals. Siblings R Praggnanandhaa and R Vaishali were pivotal in their teams' success. A viral video featuring them with their mother, Nagalakshmi, captured the family's pride, with a social media user commenting, "Indeed a proud mom." Their father, Ramesh Babu, expressed joy over their achievements, highlighting chess's rising popularity in India and the siblings' ambitions to become world champions.

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi ignited a political storm by asserting that secularism is a "European concept" with no place in India. Speaking in Kanyakumari, he criticized the "wrong interpretation of secularism" as a fraud against the people. Opposition leaders, including Congress MP Manickam Tagore, condemned his remarks as unconstitutional. DMK's TKS Elangovan defended secularism as essential in India, citing its diverse religions. CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat highlighted that secularism is fundamental to the Indian Constitution, urging Ravi to recognize its significance. The controversy underscores ongoing debates about secularism's role in Indian society.

Akshay Shinde, accused of sexually assaulting two minor girls in Badlapur, Maharashtra, was shot dead by police after he snatched an officer's revolver during transport. The Thane crime branch took Shinde into custody from Taloja jail based on a new case filed by his wife. While being transported for questioning, he opened fire near the Mumbra bypass, injuring an officer. In response, another officer shot Shinde, who later succumbed to his injuries. This incident underscores the challenges law enforcement faces with high-profile criminal cases in the region.

During a roundtable in New York, Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged with tech CEOs, including Google's Sundar Pichai, Nvidia's Jensen Huang, and IBM's Arvind Krishna. Pichai emphasized Google's commitment to manufacturing Pixel smartphones in India and praised Modi's vision for AI's transformative role in sectors like healthcare and agriculture. He stated, "The PM has pushed us to continue making in India," and highlighted ongoing investments in AI. Modi expressed optimism about India's tech advancements, reinforcing the collaborative spirit between government and industry in driving innovation.

Lebanon's health ministry reported 182 deaths and 727 injuries, including children and paramedics, following Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon. Israel claims it is intensifying its operations, hitting over 300 Hezbollah targets. IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari announced strikes would expand to the Bekaa Valley, warning civilians to avoid houses storing weapons. He added that Hezbollah intends to use the weapons against Israel. The ongoing escalation has fueled fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East. Lebanese officials accuse Israel of conducting a "psychological war" through evacuation messages.

A debate sparked between author Chetan Bhagat and BharatPe co-founder Ashneer Grover over the high prices of Coldplay's concert tickets in Mumbai. Bhagat questioned how fans could afford tickets, highlighting India's low salary percentiles, while Grover argued that the demand for 80,000 seats was unsurprising given the country's economic disparity. Tickets originally priced between ₹2,500 to ₹35,000 were resold for up to ₹3 lakh, frustrating many fans. Social media users were divided, with some agreeing on affordability issues and others criticizing the concert's value for money.

The use of AI is transforming the dead-celebrity industry, with estates generating significant revenue. Michael Jackson's estate, despite being $500 million in debt at the time of his death, has earned $2 billion due to AI-driven projects. James Dean, Judy Garland, and others now narrate books through AI voice-cloning startup ElevenLabs. AI has also recreated digital versions of stars like Paul Walker and Peter Cushing. With ongoing demand for AI-generated content, experts predict this could become a primary revenue source for deceased celebrities' estates within five years.