Iran's Supreme Leader orders direct attack on Israel following Hamas leader's assassination: Reports
Tehran: Reports suggest that Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has issued an order for a direct military strike against Israel in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. This directive was given during an emergency session of Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Wednesday, shortly after Iran confirmed Haniyeh's death in Tehran.
Haniyeh was reportedly killed at around 2 a.m. local time after attending a ceremony and meeting with Khamenei. His assassination has been attributed to Israel by Iran and Hamas, though Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement. The incident has sparked significant outrage in Iran, which views it as a severe breach of sovereignty.
Iran is contemplating a range of retaliatory actions, including coordinated strikes involving missiles and drones aimed at military targets near Tel Aviv and Haifa.
The attack on Haniyeh, which took place at a highly secure Revolutionary Guards facility, is seen as a major security lapse for Iran. Khamenei has emphasized the necessity of retaliation to deter further Israeli attacks and maintain credibility among regional allies.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, along with Iran's involvement, has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation in the Middle East.
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First-ever life-size Vivekananda statue in US unveiled in Seattle
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New York (PTI): The first-ever life-size statue of Swami Vivekananda in the US was unveiled in Seattle, honouring the renowned Indian philosopher and spiritual leader.
The life-size bronze statue, installed at the busy Westlake Square in downtown Seattle, is the first such installation hosted by a city government anywhere in the US, officials said.
Sculpted by Indian artist Naresh Kumar Kumawat, it was jointly unveiled on Saturday by Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson and Consul General of India in Seattle Prakash Gupta.
"From Chicago 1893 to Seattle 2026! Seattle's skyline has a new Indian icon: Swami Vivekananda! City of Seattle becomes the first city government to host the Swami Vivekananda Monument in the heart of downtown Seattle," the Consulate General of India in Seattle said in a social media post.
Addressing the event, Wilson said the monument reflects Seattle's inclusive spirit and strengthens cultural ties between India and the diverse metropolitan tech hub in the US Pacific Northwest.
The statue has been gifted by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) to the City of Seattle in recognition of its "in recognition of the city’s rich multicultural character and spirit of inclusivity", the Indian mission in Seattle said in a statement.
The unveiling of the statue was held on the occasion of the celebration of ICCR Day and is part of India's broader cultural diplomacy initiatives aimed at strengthening people-to-people ties between India and the US Pacific Northwest, the Consulate said.
Located at the bustling Westlake Square, which sees over 400,000 visitors daily, the monument stands near prominent landmarks including the Amazon headquarters ‘Spheres’, the Seattle Convention Centre and the Seattle Centre Monorail.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by several local leaders, including mayors from cities in the Greater Seattle area, community representatives and members of the Indian-American diaspora.
Swami Vivekananda had delivered his historic address at the World’s Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893, introducing Hindu philosophy to a global audience.
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