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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Cong 'pocketed' Rs 150 cr per annum from Assam healthcare budget during 15 yrs of rule: Shah
Guwahati (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday alleged that the Congress, during its previous 15 years of rule in Assam, "pocketed" Rs 150 crore per annum from the state healthcare budget.
Inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for healthcare projects worth Rs 2,092 crore in Assam, Shah said the BJP works for affordable healthcare for all sections of society and lauded Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for bringing the state's medical facilities at par with states like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka.
"Assam's healthcare was in shambles 10 years ago as Congress worked only for the financial health of its leaders' families," he said.
Attacking Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, he said that no Indian supports his acts of "defaming" the country in his bid to oppose the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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He lambasted the Congress for its "shirtless" protest at the recent AI summit in New Delhi and Gandhi for having 'chai-pakora' on the stairs of Parliament House.
"We were also in the opposition and staged protests against the government, but there is a right platform for it," he said.
"Parliament is a sacred seat of democracy. Its stairs should not be used for even dharnas. And Rahul Gandhi was having 'chai-pakora' there. Doesn't he know where to have his breakfast?" asked the Union minister.
Shah inaugurated the Rs 675-crore Pragjyotishpur Medical College and Hospital in Guwahati, at a programme held on its premises.
He also virtually inaugurated two cancer centres at Golaghat and Tinsukia, both under Assam Cancer Care Foundation (ACCF), constructed at a cost of Rs 135 crore each.
Shah virtually laid the foundation stone for super-speciality hospitals at Diphu Medical College and Hospital (Rs 220 crore), Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (Rs 310 crore), and Barpeta Medical College and Hospital (Rs 284 crore).
The foundation stone for a Rs 218-crore Swasthya Bhawan in Guwahati, and the Abhayapuri District Hospital (Rs 115 crore) were also laid by the Union home minister.
Shah arrived here on Saturday evening on a two-day visit to Assam, his fourth visit to the northeastern state in four months.
