Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended warm birthday greetings to President Droupadi Murmu, praising her dedication to public service and describing her life journey as a source of inspiration for people across the country.

In a message shared on social media, the Prime Minister lauded President Murmu’s commitment to the nation and highlighted her efforts toward the welfare of the poor and marginalised sections of society. He said her leadership and service continue to motivate citizens.

Modi also wished the President a long and healthy life, noting that her rise to the highest constitutional office reflects the strength of India’s democratic values. He said her journey gives hope to millions and serves as an example of perseverance and public service.

President Murmu, who was born on June 20, 1958, assumed office as the 15th President of India in July 2022. She made history as the first person from a tribal community to become President and the second woman to hold the post.

Her political and public life has included service as a legislator in Odisha, a minister in the state government and Governor of Jharkhand before she was elected President.

The President’s journey from Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district to Rashtrapati Bhavan is often cited as a symbol of social mobility and inclusive representation in Indian democracy.

A tense confrontation unfolded at the United Nations after Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, and senior UN official Vanessa Frazier exchanged sharp remarks during a public hearing focused on children affected by armed conflicts.

The disagreement emerged during an event linked to discussions on the impact of wars on children, where Danon strongly criticized recent UN findings concerning Israel’s conduct in the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Dispute over UN report

During the hearing, Danon accused UN officials of unfairly targeting Israel and questioned the credibility of reports that documented alleged violations involving children in conflict zones. He argued that the findings reflected bias against Israel and called for accountability from those responsible for preparing the reports.

As Danon continued his criticism, Vanessa Frazier intervened and objected to what she described as personal attacks against UN officials. She defended the reporting process, stating that the findings were based on evidence collected and verified through established UN mechanisms.

The exchange quickly became heated, with Danon responding by telling Frazier to “be quiet” while continuing to challenge the conclusions presented in the reports.

Tensions over Gaza conflict findings

The confrontation highlights ongoing tensions between Israel and the United Nations over reports examining the humanitarian impact of the war in Gaza. Israeli officials have repeatedly disputed UN assessments, arguing that they fail to adequately reflect the security challenges Israel faces.

UN officials, meanwhile, have maintained that their reports are based on documented evidence and are intended to monitor the effects of armed conflict on civilians, particularly children.

The disagreement at the hearing underscored the deep divisions that continue to surround international scrutiny of the conflict and its humanitarian consequences.

International attention on children in conflict

The hearing formed part of broader UN efforts to address the impact of armed conflicts on children worldwide. Such discussions typically focus on issues including displacement, access to education, recruitment by armed groups, and violence against minors in conflict zones.

The verbal clash between the Israeli envoy and the UN official drew attention to the broader debate over accountability, evidence gathering and international oversight during ongoing conflicts.

Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has sought to downplay the impact of a rebellion by six Lok Sabha MPs from the party, asserting that the organisation will continue to move forward despite the latest political setback.

Speaking as Shiv Sena marked its 60th foundation year, Raut said the party’s future does not depend on elected representatives and that it has overcome several challenges during its long history. He remarked that people may come and go, but the party continues its journey forward.

The comments come amid growing turmoil within the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction after six MPs signalled their intention to break away. According to reports, the rebel lawmakers are dissatisfied with the leadership style of Uddhav Thackeray and have also expressed concerns over the party’s closeness to the Congress.

Among those seeking to leave the party are MPs Omraje Nimbalkar, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Jadhav, Sanjay Deshmukh, Nagesh Patil Ashtikar and Bhausaheb Vakchaure. Reports indicate that the lawmakers recently met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and cited concerns about the party’s political direction.

Party can rebuild after setbacks, says Raut

Referring to the latest round of defections, Raut maintained that Shiv Sena (UBT) has faced betrayals and internal challenges before and has always managed to recover. He stressed that the party remains cadre-based and is not dependent on MPs or MLAs for its existence.

The Rajya Sabha MP also accused the ruling BJP of attempting to weaken regional political parties across the country. According to Raut, efforts have been made over the past decade to diminish the role of regional forces, and a healthy democracy requires a strong opposition.

The rebellion has intensified speculation about another split within the Thackeray camp, which has already faced major political upheaval in recent years. However, the party leadership has indicated that it intends to continue its organisational work and focus on rebuilding support despite the current crisis.