CNN journalist apologizes for claiming Hamas beheaded babies
Washington: CNN journalist Sara Sidner has issued an apology for reporting unverified claims regarding the beheading of babies, which she stated had been confirmed by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Sidner made the apology on X (formerly Twitter) after the Israeli government stated that it could not confirm the alleged incident.
Sidner expressed regret for her earlier report, stating, "Yesterday, the Israeli Prime Minister's office said that it had confirmed Hamas beheaded babies and children while we were live on air. The Israeli government now says today it CANNOT confirm babies were beheaded. I needed to be more careful with my words and I am sorry."
Furthermore, CNN also issued an update on X, acknowledging the contradiction in their earlier report. The update clarified that Israel could not confirm the claims, retracting their previous statement.
The initial claims regarding the beheading of children at the Kfar Aza kibbutz had surfaced during a live broadcast by Israeli news channel i24News. The channel's reporter had mentioned the discovery of babies with their heads cut off following the Israeli army's recapture of the kibbutz, citing testimonies from Israeli soldiers. These claims quickly circulated in the international media and social networks, prompting a response from various leaders, including US President Joe Biden.
However, the White House later clarified President Biden's remarks, stating that he and other US officials had not independently confirmed the alleged beheadings. The clarification cited information from "Netanyahu's spokesperson and media reports from Israel" for the comments made by President Biden.
Yesterday the Israeli Prime Minister's office said that it had confirmed Hamas beheaded babies & children while we were live on the air. The Israeli government now says today it CANNOT confirm babies were beheaded. I needed to be more careful with my words and I am sorry. https://t.co/Yrc68znS1S
— Sara Sidner (@sarasidnerCNN) October 12, 2023
The words I used were the PM's office must have proof if they are confirming this. Then President Biden confirmed seeing it. And then backed tracked.
— Sara Sidner (@sarasidnerCNN) October 12, 2023
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Rahul authenticates article on ex-army chief's 'memoir' on India-China conflict; LS impasse remains
New Delhi (PTI): Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday authenticated a copy of an article in the Lok Sabha which cited former army chief M M Naravane's unpublished 'memoir' but it failed to end the impasse over the matter, leading to a brief adjournment.
With Gandhi insisting on raising the issue in the Lok Sabha, Chair Krishna Prasad Tenneti moved on to other Speakers and asked Harish Balayogi of the TDP, an NDA constituent, to speak on the President's address after three opposition MPs refused to speak, showing solidarity with Gandhi.
As Balayogi spoke, opposition MPs raised slogans and the ruckus continued in the House, prompting the chair to adjourn it till 3 PM.
Tenneti asked Congress MP KC Venugopal to address the chair properly and not make any casual references to the chair.
As soon as Gandhi was asked to speak on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address, he cited the Speaker's ruling of Monday and authenticated the copy of the article.
"I have authenticated it," he said.
To authenticate a document, a member has to submit a signed copy of it affirming that it is correct to the best of his knowledge.
Tenneti, who was chairing the House, asked him to table it and said "we will examine it and get back".
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Speaker passed a ruling on the matter and after that Gandhi should not raise the issue repeatedly.
Gandhi insisted that he is the Leader of Opposition and takes objection to the term 'permission' when he has to speak.
As the impasse continued over Gandhi seeking to quote the article, Tenneti adjourned the proceedings till 3 pm.
A row had erupted in the Lok Sabha on Monday when Gandhi sought to quote from an unpublished 'memoir' of the former army chief on the 2020 India-China conflict, but faced strong opposition from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other BJP members who accused the Congress leader of misleading the House.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla disallowed Gandhi from raising the issue, but he did not relent and several opposition leaders also rallied behind him. The House was adjourned twice and later for the day amid uproar as heated exchanges took place between the treasury and opposition benches.
Our President’s Address was about the path that India has to chart and the direction in which India has to move.
— Congress (@INCIndia) February 3, 2026
Today, on the world stage, the main issue in international affairs is the conflict between China and the United States.
This is central to our President’s Address.… pic.twitter.com/JJbMDF9ZsS
