"Your Posts Could Get Someone Killed": TED Chief Chris Anderson To Elon Musk

Chris Anderson, the head of TED, wrote an open letter to billionaire Elon Musk on Tuesday over the tech mogul's recent posts on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). According to Anderson, the owner of X is forgetting the "core tenets of journalism".

"...Without them, I think your efforts to make X the respected home of citizen journalism will fail. When you tell hundreds of millions of people that someone should be hanged or jailed for outrageous crimes against humanity, just possibly you should first sound out what those who know those people really well would say about them. Some of your recent posts could literally get someone killed. Do you really want to risk that?" Anderson questioned, referring to Musk's recent posts.

Musk has been frequently bashing international governments whose politics he dislikes and praising far-right figures. He has been using X to post several criticisms and accusations aimed at political figures - especially in UK, Germany, and Canada.

"You say you want to maximize un-regretted user seconds on X.  By far the simplest way you could do this, Elon, is simply to thoughtfully edit what you yourself post," Anderson said.

According to Anderson, the owner of X is failing to follow the "fairness doctrine" - which says that before publishing critical claims about an individual, or an institution, one must reach out to them for their side of the story. While the TED chief believes that Musk is eyeing issues that are important and worthy of efforts, he said that the way it is being presented is "playground bullying". 

"It's crass and it's cruel, and it's therefore not nearly as effective as it could be. You're hearing the cheers of your most loyal followers, but missing the fact you're making yourself a laughing stock among many who you really want on your side. Long-term that's going to damage X, your other businesses, and indeed your long-term dreams for humanity.  No one wants to follow a playground bully to Mars," Anderson said.

With a certain amount of trepidation, I'm posting this open letter to @elonmusk, someone I have admired, but who, right now, is causing me concern. I know I'm not alone in thinking these thoughts. Please like or repost if you're willing... And Elon, if you're listening, please… pic.twitter.com/WGU9okIXJ3

— Chris Anderson (@TEDchris) January 7, 2025

Anderson mentioned that while Musk is someone he admires, at present, he is causing concern.

"I miss the old Elon. You can be funny, interesting, insightful and inspiring. You've fought incredibly hard for what you've built. And you may feel you're entitled to do whatever the hell you want with it. But I also know that you understand the danger of holding too tightly to the ring of power, how it can distort someone's judgement and turn them ugly," he wrote.

"I'm hoping you can loosen that ring just a little. For the love of humanity that you profess, I really urge you to embrace the fairness doctrine and showcase a better face of X," Anderson added.

Musk has not yet responded to the letter.

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North Korea Says New Hypersonic Missile System Can Deter "Pacific Rivals"

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un said that a new hypersonic missile system used in a test launch on Monday would help deter the country's rivals in the Pacific, the KCNA state news agency reported.

"The hypersonic missile system will reliably contain any rivals in the Pacific region that can affect the security of our state," Kim, who oversaw the launch, said in comments carried by KCNA.

The test-fire came as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited strategic ally South Korea, a fierce rival of the North, with whom it technically remains at war.

In a statement, Kim said the missile flew for 1,500 kilometres (930 miles) -- beyond the 1,100-kilometre (680-mile) figure given by South Korea's military -- and travelled at 12 times the speed of sound before landing in water.

"This is clearly a plan and effort for self-defence, not an offensive plan and action," Kim said.

However, he added that the performance of the missile system "can not be ignored worldwide," saying it can "deal a serious military strike to a rival while effectively breaking any dense defensive barrier."

"The development of the defence capabilities of the DPRK aiming to be a military power will be further accelerated," Kim said, using the acronym for the North's official name.

Blinken and his South Korean counterpart Cho Tae-yul condemned the launch at a joint news conference, where the outgoing US top diplomat said it showed the importance of deepening a three-way alliance with Japan.

Monday's test-fire was North Korea's first since US President-elect Donald Trump won his country's November election.

Its previous launch was in November, when it test-fired what it said was its most advanced and powerful solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

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US Records 1st Human Bird Flu Death: Health Authorities

The first human death linked to bird flu has been reported in the United States, health authorities in the state of Louisiana said Monday, adding that the patient was elderly and suffered from other pathologies.

The patient, aged over 65, had been hospitalized for a respiratory ailment, and was the first serious case of human infection of the H5N1 virus to be detected in the United States. Despite this death, the public health risk posed by bird flu remains "low," the statement said.

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As Trudeau Resigns, Trump Says Canada Should Merge With US

Donald Trump on Monday marked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation announcement by doubling down on his unlikely proposal that the country should merge with the United States.

"If Canada merged with the US, there would be no Tariffs, taxes would go way down, and they would be TOTALLY SECURE from the threat of the Russian and Chinese Ships that are constantly surrounding them," incoming president Trump posted on social media.

"Together, what a great Nation it would be!!!" he added.

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Five Indian-Origin Men Charged With Murder Of An Indian In New Jersey

Five Indian-origin men have been arrested and charged with the murder of an Indian, whose bullet-ridden body had been found in a forest in New Jersey, according to officials.

The last of the five, Sandeep Kumar, was arrested on Friday, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and New Jersey Police Colonel Patrick Callahan said on Saturday.

Kuldeep Kumar's body was found with gunshot wounds in the Greenwood Wildlife Management Area, a nature preserve in New Jersey, on December 14.

Although Kumar's family in New York had reported him missing on October 26, according to the prosecutor's office, it was almost two months before someone discovered his body and informed the prosecutor's Major Crimes Unit.

The alleged murder happened around October 22, leaving the body in a stage of “advanced decomposition” and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) helped identify Kumar, the prosecutor‘s office said.

Investigations by several law enforcement agencies zeroed in on the five accused.

Four of them from Greenwood in Indiana State, Sourav Kumar, 23, Guarav Singh, 27, Nirmal Singh, 30, and Gurdeep Singh, 22, and Sandeep Kumar, 34, from Ozone Park in New York were identified as the alleged perpetrators, according to the prosecutor's office.

While the prosecutor said the victim was Indian, he did not give the citizenship of those arrested, or the motivation for the alleged murder.

The accused men from Indiana were arrested there by the FBI, the prosecutor's detective, and Indiana police “without incident” on December 20, Billhimer's office said.

They are held in an Indiana jail awaiting extradition to New Jersey.

Under US laws, when a person wanted in a crime is arrested in another state, prosecutors have to go through an extradition process in a court during which the arrested person can contest extradition.

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Global Power City Index: Dubai Ranks First In Middle East, Eighth Globally

Dubai has been ranked eighth worldwide and first in the Middle East in the Global Power City Index 2024 (GPCI) for the second year in a row.

In an annual study released by Japan's Mori Memorial Foundation, the index highlights Dubai's role as a leader in innovation, economic dynamism, and global connectivity.

This achievement makes Dubai the only city in the Middle East to feature in the top 10, reaffirming its position as a major global hub for business, talent, and investment.

“Dubai continues to redefine what is possible, combining innovation, sustainability, and a focus on nurturing talent,” said Sheikh Hamdan, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.

The Crown Prince highlighted the key drivers behind Dubai's success, including its world-class infrastructure, which continues to attract global investment and top talent.

He highlighted the city's flexible and progressive legislative framework, designed to foster innovation and adapt to evolving global trends.

He also underscored the importance of Dubai's strong public-private sector partnerships, which have created a dynamic ecosystem for collaboration and growth.

“Dubai's high ranking on global indices shows that we are not just keeping pace with the world, we are setting new benchmarks for excellence,” he added.

The Global Power City Index (GPCI) evaluates and ranks major cities according to their “magnetism”, or their comprehensive power to attract people, capital, and enterprises from across he world.

It does so by measuring six functions — Economy, Research and Development, Cultural Interaction, Livability, Environment, and Accessibility — providing a multidimensional ranking.

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Brazil Influencer Gabriel Freitas Famed For 174-kg Weight Loss Dies At 37

Gabriel Freitas, a Brazilian reality TV star and fitness influencer who gained international attention for his remarkable 174-kg weight loss, has died at the age of 37. After initially shedding the weight, Mr Freitas regained it following the tragic loss of his father and brother. The influencer suffered a fatal heart attack in his sleep on December 30, as confirmed by his close friend Ricardo Gouvea, Express US reported. 

Announcing the sad news, Ricardo said: "Gabriel died practically sleeping, he didn't suffer. He died trying. He fought to the end, he was very strong and I have a lot of respect for him. He was a very good person with a very good heart."

Mr Freitas inspired thousands with his remarkable transformation, sharing his weight loss struggles and successes on social media. His journey highlighted his personal discipline and determination and brought attention to the challenges of obesity and the importance of mental and physical health. His death has left his fans and followers in shock, as he was celebrated for his resilience and motivational content. 

With over 700,000 followers on Instagram, Freitas' inspiring weight loss journey was well-documented on social media and YouTube. His story was first featured on the Brazilian TV show "Programa do Gugu" in 2017, where he shared his struggles and triumphs.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gabriel Freitas (MUP) (@mupgabriel)

"My name is Gabriel Freitas, I'm 29 years old, I'm 1.94 metres tall, I weigh 320kg when I started my weight loss process and 10kg when I started recording for YouTube. I decided to share my struggle to lose weight with all of you in order to help you with motivation and to show that it is possible to lose weight without surgery or medication. Here you'll see all the changes from a guy who weighed 320kg to the body he always dreamed of. Welcome to my life," he shared in one of his videos.

Through sheer determination and a drastic lifestyle transformation, he achieved an incredible weight loss of 203kg in just a year and a half, slimming down to 114 kg.

Howeve, his remarkable weight loss journey was later derailed by a period of intense grief following the loss of his father and brother. He regained a significant amount of weight, eventually reaching 380 kg. 

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Hamas' Armed Wing Releases New Video Of Gaza Hostage

The armed wing of Hamas, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, released a video on Saturday of an Israeli hostage held in Gaza since its October 2023 attack.

In the undated, three-and-a-half-minute video recording that AFP has not been able to verify, 19-year-old soldier Liri Albag called in Hebrew for the Israeli government to secure her release.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, a campaign group for relatives of those abducted, said Albag's family has not authorised publication of the video.

"We appeal to the prime minister, world leaders and all decision-makers: it's time to take decisions as if it were your own children there," the family said in a statement.  

Albag was 18 when she was captured by Palestinian militants at the Nahal Oz base on the Gaza border along with six other women conscripts, five of whom remain in captivity.

Hamas and its ally Islamic Jihad have released a number of videos of Israeli hostages in their custody during nearly 15 months of fighting in Gaza.

The militants seized 251 hostages during the 2023 attack, of whom 96 remain in Gaza. The Israeli military says 34 of those are dead.

Hamas said late on Friday that indirect negotiations with Israel for a truce and hostage release deal were to resume in Qatar that same night. There has since been no update.

Mediators Qatar, Egypt and the United States have been engaged in months of effort that have failed to end the war.

Weekly demonstrations organised by the hostages forum, the latest scheduled in Tel Aviv on Saturday, have kept up the pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a deal to free the hostages.

The prime minister's critics in Israel have accused him of stalling on a deal.

The forum said the latest video was "firm and incontestable proof of the urgency of bringing the hostages home".

On Thursday, Netanyahu's office said he had authorised Israeli negotiators to join the latest round of truce and hostage release talks in Qatar. 

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Cartoonist Quits Washington Post Over Rejected Sketch Mocking Owner, Trump

An award-winning political cartoonist for The Washington Post has announced her resignation after a cartoon depicting the newspaper's billionaire owner grovelling before Donald Trump was rejected.
Ann Telnaes posted on Substack late Friday that this was the first time she "had a cartoon killed because of who or what I chose to aim my pen at."

The cartoon -- which she included in her post -- depicts Amazon founder and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos, as well as Facebook and Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg and other media and tech moguls, kneeling and holding up bags of money before a massive Trump.

Also shown is a prostrated Mickey Mouse, the symbol of the Disney Company, which owns ABC News. The television network recently reached a $15 million settlement with Trump after he sued for defamation over reporting on his sexual abuse trial in New York.

Telnaes wrote that while previous sketches of hers had been rejected, this was the first time that had happened because of her "point of view."

"That's a game changer... and dangerous for a free press," she said.

The Washington Post, whose slogan is "democracy dies in darkness," said Telnaes's work had not been rejected due to any "malign force."

"We had just published a column on the same topic as the cartoon and had already scheduled another column -- this one a satire -- for publication," editorial page editor David Shipley said in a statement. "The only bias was against repetition."

The US media aggressively covered Trump's chaotic first term, which included two impeachments and ended with his refusal to recognize defeat in the 2020 election -- culminating with a mob of his supporters storming Congress.

As Trump prepares for his January 20 inauguration, after having defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in November, there are signs that top CEOs, including in the media, are eager to build good relations.

A stream of senior moguls, from Apple CEO Tim Cook to Bezos Zuckerberg, have travelled to meet Trump at his Florida estate.

Elon Musk, owner of influential social media platform X and the world's richest person, is one of the president-elect's closest advisors.

Amazon and Meta have both announced $1 million donations to Trump's inauguration fund, as reportedly has Apple's Cook in a personal capacity.

Bezos caused a stir just ahead of the presidential election when he broke with years of tradition and ruled against the Post endorsing a candidate.

Telnaes, who has won the Pulitzer Prize and other awards for her work, had worked for the Post since 2008.

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UK Top Secret Lab Develops 'Groundbreaking' Quantum Clock For Military Use

A "groundbreaking" atomic clock built at a top-secret UK lab will make military operations more secure through experimental quantum technology over the years, the country's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has claimed.

Developed at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), the quantum clock has been dubbed a leap forward in improving intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance by decreasing the reliance on GPS technology, which can be disrupted and blocked by adversaries.

In a statement on Thursday, the MoD hailed the first device of its kind to be built in the UK to be deployable on military operations in the next five years. It claims that the clock's precision is so refined that it will lose less than one second over billions of years, allowing scientists to measure time at an unprecedented scale.

"Integrating cutting edge technology into existing capabilities exemplifies the government's commitment to innovation in the defence sector, and to ensuring our armed forces have the best kit possible to keep us secure at home and strong abroad," said Maria Eagle, Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry.

"The trial of this emerging, groundbreaking technology could not only strengthen our operational capability, but also drive progress in industry, bolster our science sector and support high-skilled jobs," she said.

The MoD, via DSTL, claims to have invested more than GBP 28 million to shape the UK's research and development to achieve early adopter advantage of such technologies.

The trial is the first time that DSTL has tested a UK-built optical atomic clock outside of a laboratory, offering a new capability beyond the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) that currently exist.

According to DSTL, GNSS vulnerabilities are a known national security risk, with atomic clock technology having the potential to provide a stable sovereign-controlled capability for maintenance of precise time for critical operations.

"This first trial of advanced atomic clock represents a significant achievement in the UK's quantum technology capabilities. The data gathered will not only shape future defence effort but is also a signal to industry and academia that we are serious about exploring quantum technologies for secure and resilient operational advantage," said DSTL Chief Executive Paul Hollinshead.

The trial fell within the Demonstration of Advanced Timing Apparatus (DATA) process of a planned series of experiments designed to understand the performance and limitations of quantum clocks, with potential benefits for military and national infrastructure resilience.

Improved clocks such as this atomic device are intended to support current and future defence capabilities.

"The applications of quantum clocks extend beyond precision timekeeping. Further improvement to GPS accuracy could transform global navigation systems, aiding in everything from satellite communication to aircraft navigation," the MoD stated.

"In addition, further research will see the technology decrease in size to allow mass manufacturing and miniaturisation, unlocking a wide range of applications, such as use by military vehicles and aircraft," it said.

Some of the key benefits of the technology include enabling more precise and independent navigation systems, reducing reliance on GPS satellites, which are vulnerable to jamming or destruction in conflict scenarios; secure communications systems, such as encrypted military networks, which depend on highly synchronised timekeeping; enhancing the accuracy of advanced weapon systems, like guided missiles, which rely on accurate timing to calculate trajectories and coordinate attacks; and allow UK armed forces to gain an edge over adversaries in timing-critical operations, especially in areas like cyber warfare, where milliseconds can make a difference.

The trial involved key partners including Infleqtion (UK), Aquark Technologies, HCD Research and Imperial College London, as well as in-house technology developed at Dstl's quantum laboratory. These prototype frequency standards were tested in collaboration with the Royal Navy's Office of the Chief Technical Officer and the Army Futures team at the BattleLab.

Commander Matt Steele, the Future Technology Officer for the Royal Navy's Office of the Chief Technical Officer, added: "The Navy has been looking at quantum technologies for a number of years and it is exciting to see that the challenges of physics and engineering in this area are now no longer a scientific concept, but is now reaching the cusp of reality." "In the next few years, the ability to operate effectively, to survive, and to navigate and also to remain lethal with the use of Quantum alongside GPS will secure operational advantage."
 

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"Relevant T-Word Is Terrorism, Not Tango": India On Pak Deputy PM's Remark

Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stressed that improving relations with India requires a two-way effort. He emphasised that Pakistan has been actively engaging in diplomatic efforts since the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government took office last year.

When asked about Pakistan's relations with India, he stressed the importance of mutual effort, and said, "Afghanistan is our brother. We want strong ties. With India, it takes two to tango. If there's goodwill, we are ready for trade."

India took a jibe at Pakistan's comment. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "The relevant 'T' word here is terrorism, not tango", during his weekly briefing.

#WATCH | Delhi: On Pakistan Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar's statement regarding ties with India 'it takes two to tango', MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, " The relevant 'T' word there is 'terrorism' and not 'tango'..." pic.twitter.com/2hrTW75ScR

— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2025

India has reiterated time and again that "terror and talks" cannot go together, and urged Pakistan to stop cross border terrorism.

The relationship between the two countries came to a halt after the 2019 Pulwama Attack. Pakistan also downgraded the diplomatic ties with India after the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir.

Dar also announced plans to visit Bangladesh next month, aiming to strengthen economic and trade cooperation. He described Bangladesh as "like a lost brother" and noted that Islamabad and Dhaka are rebuilding ties after the fall of the Hasina government last year, on August 5, after a student-led protest.

Dar also rejected claims of the country's isolation as he said, "When we assumed office, there was a perception of diplomatic isolation. However, by expanding our diplomatic reach and engaging with regional neighbours, this perception has changed."

Additionally, Dar addressed Pakistan's relations with Afghanistan, expressing a desire to strengthen ties despite the challenge of terrorism. He criticised former intelligence chief Gen Faiz Hameed for engaging in talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and revealed that planned visits to Kabul were postponed due to terrorist attacks.

Moreover, Pakistan has been facing a rise in terrorism since 2021, when the Afghan Taliban came to power, and they have demanded that Afghanistan should control the terrorists who are operating on their soil against Pakistan.

In other developments, Dar highlighted progress in Pakistan's nuclear energy sector, announcing the launch of the Chashma 5 (C-5) nuclear power project. He also confirmed the appointment of former Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood as Secretary General of the D-8 Developing Eight Forum.
 

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Senior Journalist Nikhil Kumar Returns To TIME As Executive Editor

Senior journalist Nikhil Kumar has joined TIME magazine as Executive Editor. Mr Kumar will be overseeing TIME's AI, Climate and Health teams.

"Together, our AI, Climate, and Health journalists have been among TIME's most innovative and recognized. They've launched our new TIME100 communities, creating journalism that speaks to the decision-makers in these verticals and the individuals who follow them," TIME said in a statement.

"Nikhil brings experience in international and business journalism, which he will use to make sure that our AI, Climate, and Health coverage continues to appeal to global audiences and those leading the businesses that shape them. He will supervise Senior Editors Mandy Oaklander, Kyla Mandel, and Dayana Sarkisova, along with their reporters, and collaborate across all our departments to encourage our most ambitious journalism," it added.

Nikhil Kumar was recently with The Messenger as its deputy global editor and before that, he worked at Grid. He was formerly CNN's bureau chief in New Delhi, overseeing the network's coverage of India and the wider region, as well as reporting on-air for major stories.

Previously, he also worked with TIME as its South Asia bureau chief and, before that, as a senior editor working on international coverage. He has also worked as an editor and foreign correspondent for the Independent and the Evening Standard.

The magazine also announced that Lori Fradkin, who joined TIME in 2018, was being promoted to Executive Editor.

"A talented newsroom leader, Lori will oversee Senior Editor of Ideas AJ Hess and their team of editors, as well as Editor-at-Large Belinda Luscombe, Senior Correspondent Sean Gregory, and Correspondent Eliana Dockterman," the statement read.

She joined TIME in New York following five years at Cosmopolitan, with previous roles at The Huffington Post, AOL, and New York magazine.

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After Nearly 13 Years, Qatar Airways To Resume Flights To Syria's Damascus

Qatar Airways announced on Thursday it will resume flights to the Syrian capital Damascus after nearly 13 years, starting with three weekly flights beginning on Tuesday.

The Qatari national carrier "is pleased to announce the resumption of three weekly flights to Damascus, Syria, from 7 January 2025," it said in a statement.

It hailed a "significant step in reconnecting the region", about a month after Islamist-led rebels toppled Syria's longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, capping more than a decade of civil war.

"Qatar Airways is working closely with relevant authorities to ensure that all necessary safety, security and operational standards are met ahead of the relaunch," the airline said.

CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said the company was "pleased to resume flights to Damascus, a destination of great historical and cultural importance".

A Qatari official told AFP last month that Doha had offered the new Syrian authorities help in resuming operations at Damascus airport.

Qatar was the second country, after Turkey, to reopen its embassy in the Syrian capital following the overthrow of the Assad government on December 8.

Doha was one of the main backers of the armed rebellion that erupted after Assad's government crushed a peaceful uprising in 2011.

Unlike several of its neighbours, Qatar had remained a stern critic of Assad and did not renew ties with Syria despite its return to the Arab diplomatic fold last year.

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Pak Begins 2-Year Term At Top UN Body, To Oppose Reform Sought By India

Pakistan today replaced Japan for a seat at the world's topmost diplomatic body - the UN Security Council. Islamabad will occupy one of the two seats from the Asia-Pacific region (South Korea being the other) for two years starting today.

Pakistan will also preside over the council in July when it will be the Chair. This will allow Islamabad to set the United Nations Security Council agenda. In addition to this, Islamabad finds itself holding another crucial post after it secured a seat on the Islamic State (ISIS) and Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee, which is responsible for designating individuals and groups as terrorists and imposing sanctions.

This new two-year tenure as a non-permanent member would be Pakistan's eighth term at the top UN body. It comes at a significant time, when central and west Asia is experiencing political and humanitarian crises - the war in Gaza, crisis in Lebanon, heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, the regime change in Syria, and the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, to name a few.

Europe too is reeling under severe economic strain of the years-long Russia-Ukraine war. In East Asia, there are serious concerns over China's threat to Taiwan and North Korea's military rise while South Korea is imploding from one of its worst political crises. China also has serious differences with Philippines and Vietnam leading to naval face-offs.

But perhaps the most obvious of Pakistan's agendas will be to rake up its rhetoric about Kashmir. Islamabad's envoy to the United Nations has already hinted this in his remarks after Pakistan assumed the seat at the UN Security Council. "We will continue to highlight" the Kashmir issue "and push for concrete steps from the international community," said Pakistan's UN Ambassador Munir Akram.

As a non-permanent member of the Security Council, Pakistan will not have veto rights, but it will have a significant say in matters such as designating terrorists and wield influence over the sanctions committee.

Pakistan's two-year term also coincides with talks to reform the UN Security Council with India aiming to become a permanent member with full veto rights. Islamabad will likely do all it can to hinder the process and push back New Delhi's attempts to gain a rightful seat at the council. India, being the world's most populous nation, and one of the leading global economies, with a proven track-record has been persisting for the "much-needed reforms".

Islamabad has already said that it will strongly oppose the addition of any new permanent members, and will favour the expansion of the non-permanent category instead.

Islamabad has also said that as one of the five non-permanent members of the Security Council from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation or OIC countries, Pakistan will aim to become the 'Voice of the Muslim World', quite like India being the 'Voice of the Global South'.
 

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