Diplomats stage walkout during Netanyahu's UN speech amid Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon
New York: Scores of diplomats walked out during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday, protesting Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza and recent airstrikes in Lebanon.
As Netanyahu took the podium, several diplomats exited the hall, prompting the presiding official to call for "order, please" while the Israeli leader began his speech. This incident occurred shortly after a senior Hamas official called on world leaders to boycott Netanyahu’s address.
During his speech, Netanyahu affirmed that Israel’s military would continue striking Hezbollah militants in Lebanon “with all our might,” despite ongoing efforts by the US, European allies, and several Arab nations to broker a three-week cease-fire. His arrival in New York coincided with intensified international appeals for cease-fires in both Gaza and Lebanon, as global leaders warned of the growing threat of a wider conflict in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Israel has ramped up its offensive on Hezbollah’s strongholds in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut. The latest airstrikes, which began last night, resulted in thick plumes of smoke and panic in densely populated civilian areas, further escalating fears of widespread devastation.
The Gaza attacks, now nearing its one-year mark, has left the territory in ruins. Over 42,000 people have been killed, and nearly the entire population has been displaced multiple times. In northern Gaza, residents are grappling with severe food shortages as relentless airstrikes have destroyed homes, schools, hospitals, and essential infrastructure.
Mass walkout of UN delegates at the UNGA as diplomats exit the assembly in protest of Netanyahu’s address pic.twitter.com/oJGWZHyUFF
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South African police arrest suspect in mass shooting that killed 12, including 3 children
Johannesburg (AP): A 32-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a mass shooting which claimed the lives of 12 people including three children at an unlicensed pub earlier this month, South African police said on Monday.
The man is suspected of being one of the three people who opened fire on patrons in a pub at Saulsville township, west of South Africa's capital Pretoria, killing 12 people including three children aged 3, 12 and 16.
At least 13 people were also injured during the attack, whose motive remains unknown.
According to the police, the suspect was arrested on Sunday while traveling to Botlokwa in Limpopo province, more than 340 km from where the mass shooting took place on Dec 6.
An unlicensed firearm believed to have been used during the attack was recovered from the suspect's vehicle.
“The 32-year-old suspect was intercepted by Limpopo Tracking Team on the R101 Road in Westenburg precinct. During the arrest, the team recovered an unlicensed firearm, a hand gun, believed to have been used in the commission of the multiple murders. The firearm will be taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic analysis,” police said in statement.
The suspect was arrested on the same day that another mass shooting at a pub took place in the Bekkersdal township, west of Johannesburg, in which nine people were killed and 10 wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire on patrons.
Police have since launched a search for the suspects.
South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and recorded more than 26,000 homicides in 2024 — an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the leading cause of death in homicides.
The country of 62 million people has relatively strict gun ownership laws, but many killings are committed with illegal guns, according to authorities.
According to police, mass shootings at unlicensed bars are becoming a serious problem. Police shut down more than 11,000 illegal taverns between April and September this year and arrested more than 18,000 people for involvement in illegal liquor sales.
