Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed allegations of genocide in Gaza as the “biggest lie of the century” during a combative address to the UN General Assembly, while condemning what he called “moral cowards.”

As Netanyahu approached the rostrum, a mass walkout took place, leaving a large number of seats visibly empty for the rest of the session.

Delegates jeered and booed as Netanyahu began speaking, while members of his own team stood to applaud. The disruption prompted the session’s presiding officer to call repeatedly for order.

“If there are any other moral cowards who haven’t left this hall, please do so now,” Netanyahu said.

He then delivered a defiant defence of Israel’s right to wage war against Iran, addressing world leaders amid intense international criticism of his government’s actions.

Raising his voice for emphasis, Netanyahu said launching an attack on Iran “was one of the easiest decisions I’ve ever had to make.”

“In defending itself, Israel is also defending many of the countries whose delegates just left this hall,” Netanyahu said. “In fact, I want you to know that many of their leaders even thank us privately for taking out Iran’s nukes.”

Netanyahu also criticised Britain and France over their former colonial empires, accusing them of hypocrisy when they described Israel as colonialist.

“They accuse Israel, tiny Israel, of colonialism — some colonialism,” he said. “And who’s accusing us? Among them are people in Britain and in France. For God’s sakes, they invented the term.”

Turning to violence against Palestinian communities in the occupied West Bank, Netanyahu described the Israeli youths accused of carrying out attacks as “juvenile delinquents.”

“What the media cover is a handful of young juvenile delinquents, about 150 in number, who go or throw stones, who chop down olive trees,” Netanyahu said.

“I can’t stand that. I won’t stand for vigilantism,” he added.

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He also claimed that “many Jews” no longer felt safe in New York following the election of left-wing mayor Zohran Mamdani.

“Since you were elected mayor of this city, many Jews no longer feel safe in New York,” Netanyahu told Mamdani. “You falsely, repeatedly accuse Israel of genocide.”

Netanyahu’s address followed a week of speeches in which world leaders accused Israel of genocide and war crimes in Gaza.

The Palestinian Mission to the UN had urged representatives from as many of the 193 member states as possible to bring staff into the assembly hall and “collectively walk out of the assembly” when the Israeli prime minister was announced.

“This will send a clear message to Netanyahu and his government that no one is willing to aid, abet, or be complicit in its genocide and war crimes and illegal occupation, which all peace-loving states and peoples demand must come to an end,” the message said.

In past years, Netanyahu has used his General Assembly speech to both denounce the United Nations as biased and make Israel’s case to world leaders. 

His address – scheduled for prime time in Israel – is the cornerstone of an abbreviated trip to the United States unfolding under the shadow of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani calling him a ‘war criminal’ and pushing for his arrest.

Mamdani has acknowledged that New York does not have the authority to execute an International Criminal Court warrant but urged federal authorities to do so.

Israel has grown increasingly isolated throughout the war in Gaza. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel, killing around 1,200 people and kidnapping 251. 

At least 73,922 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s subsequent offensive, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, part of the Hamas-run government whose numbers are generally considered reliable by the international community.

A ceasefire agreed to by Israel and Hamas last October halted the heaviest of the fighting and led to the release of the remaining hostages yet further steps have since stalled. 

Israel maintains control of most of Gaza and continues to carry out airstrikes on Palestinians near military-held zones. 

Hamas has not disarmed or relinquished power and there has been no progress toward reconstruction in the mostly destroyed territory.

Welcome to The Group Chat with Lucy Manly, where one of Australia’s best-connected society writers brings you the latest celebrity and social whispers before they become headlines.

Together-ish again

The status of publican Stu Laundy and eastern suburbs social figure Kristin Fisher remains a subject of speculation, with the pair apparently reconnecting during AFL preliminary final weekend.

According to several sources, Fisher had only recently ended her relationship with 28-year-old Shannon Sykes when she was seen spending time with Laundy. She later attended the Sydney Swans’ clash with the Fremantle Dockers at the SCG, reportedly in noticeably high spirits.

The evening ended badly for the Bloods, as Fisher’s favoured Western Australian side defeated Sydney by 12 points to book its place in the grand final.

The Laundy family, one of Australia’s prominent wealthy dynasties, are well-known Swans supporters. Still, Fisher may have helped take some of the sting out of the result after Stu’s team was eliminated.

Although they have long insisted they are simply ‘good friends’, Laundy is understood to have met Fisher’s parents during a trip to Broome. He has also reportedly treated Fisher and her children to dinner while she was going through challenging times.

People familiar with the pair maintain that no official relationship is on the horizon. One source characterised their connection as casual and uncomplicated, without the expectations or responsibilities associated with a committed partnership.

Fisher, meanwhile, appears to be keeping her romantic options open. That speculation intensified after she was seen enjoying a pub outing with Bobby Holland Hanton, the stunt performer known for doubling Chris Hemsworth. Sources also claim she is comfortable in the company of wealthy men.

If that account is accurate, Laundy would certainly be a well-connected contact, given that his family owns major radio networks including 2GB, 3AW, 4BC and 6PR.

Didn’t read that far?

The episode is also a reminder that social media comments deserve a second thought, particularly when someone has shared deeply personal news.

Celebrity hairstylist Christopher Hunter recently posted a heartbreaking message on Instagram announcing the death of his newborn child with partner Pala Negara.

‘Harmony Hunter came in like an angel and left a mark on us forever. 28/08/2026,’ he wrote in an intensely personal tribute.

Hunter said the loss had brought him and Negara even closer, strengthening them as partners and as a family while revealing what they could endure together.

‘Our love has blossomed into a truly unstoppable force that can only come from the deep grief we have been through together,’ he wrote.

He also shared that, on Father’s Day, he helped dig Harmony’s grave with the support of a group of men who had stood by the family.

‘We cried and built a bond that will last a lifetime,’ he wrote.

Such a heartbreaking post would, you would think, be difficult to mistake for a celebratory announcement. But sadly, not everyone made it that far into the caption.

Pilates queen Bernadette Fahey appeared to misread it entirely, commenting: ‘Congrats. I’m so happy for you guys.’

Her comment has since disappeared, thankfully.

It was, of course, a particularly unfortunate mistake, given Fahey has herself been publicly documenting her fertility journey in recent days.

Last week, during a jog, the Pilates instructor pulled out her camera to tell her followers she had embarked on IVF, joking that she probably hadn’t picked the ideal moment to take up running.

‘Only I would be stupid enough to plan a run club whilst I’m midway through IVF,’ she wrote.

‘My ovaries are burning and bouncing.’

She later revealed she was 10 days into her IVF injections, sharing advice she wished someone had given her before beginning the process.

‘The physical + emotional toll has been so much bigger than I expected and so many of my hardest moments have been triggered by trying to keep up with work at the same time,’ she wrote.

A particularly unfortunate Instagram faux pas, and perhaps a reminder that when it comes to social media, it pays to read the whole post before hitting send.

Another one bites the dust

This week, I’ve been airing the dirty laundry inside Barry’s Bootcamp, where things in the Red Room in both Sydney and Melbourne have been getting rather heated.

And it seems the drama isn’t over yet, with yet another trainer publicly announcing their exit in spectacular fashion.

Franchise veteran Zac Hope, described to me by one long-time fan of his Saturday classes as ‘a legend’, revealed on Tuesday that he would no longer be teaching his regular weekend session for Barry’s.

And, judging by his post, the decision came as something of a surprise to him too.

‘Unfortunately I won’t be teaching anyone ever again on Saturdays for a @barrysaustralia session,’ he wrote.

‘This is due to “management and business needs.” 

‘Wild to me seeing as I’ve done the same Saturday classes for over seven years.’

To say that Hope’s abrupt exit sparked chaos among his loyal clientele would be an understatement. For his weekend trainees, he was the heart and soul of the place.

Fortunately, he has since secured a job at Body By Berner, becoming the buzzy Pilates clinic’s first male instructor, where he’ll be working out at a less intense pace.

Hope’s departure comes hot on the heels of fellow trainer Nicole Swift, who announced in a now-vanished Instagram post that she was leaving Barry’s ‘for good’.

‘Today was my last class at Barry’s Australia. I have made the decision to leave effective immediately (for real this time lol),’ she wrote on Sunday.

But it was the reason she gave that really got people talking.

‘I cannot continue to align myself with a brand that has allowed certain behaviours and actions to take place,’ Swift wrote.

‘After a lot of thought, I’ve realised that I can’t continue to be part of a business when I no longer feel that alignment exists.’

The post has since disappeared – but not before it was screenshotted and, unsurprisingly, began doing the rounds among fellow trainers.

Meanwhile, down in Melbourne, the South Yarra studio has been at the centre of its own little soap opera.

At the heart of the chatter is head trainer and manager Ariel Kaplan, the former Neighbours and The Saddle Club actress who swapped the small screen for a career in personal training. Because, as the old saying goes, those who can’t do, teach.

Kaplan has found herself facing questions over the appointment of a trainer who has since left Barry’s and is now working at another gym in Perth.

Reports of dissatisfaction among some employees are understood to have centred, in part, on questions surrounding that appointment.

Earlier this month, I spoke to a number of Barry’s sources about the growing workplace chatter.

For legal reasons, there are some details of that investigation I simply can’t publish, and it remains unclear whether any of the South Yarra drama is connected to Swift and Hope leaving the company.

But when I contacted Kaplan at the time to ask about the staff whispers, she was decidedly uninterested in clearing up the mystery.

‘I have nothing to say,’ she told me, before abruptly ending the call.

And there, ladies and gentlemen, is where we’ll leave the Barry’s drama for now, although something tells me it’s not the last screenshot I’ll be sent.

Phelan saga continues

Former Channel Seven star Ryan Phelan may have breathed a sigh of relief this week after his civil dispute with ex-girlfriend Chelsea Franklin failed to proceed in the NSW Local Court.

As first reported by the Daily Mail in April, Franklin is suing Phelan for tens of thousands of dollars she claims he still owes her almost six years after the couple’s spectacular break-up.

You might remember that Franklin accused the former Cleo Bachelor of the Year of assaulting her in their multimillion-dollar home at Frenchs Forest in June 2020, around the time the Seven Network axed midday news show The Daily Edition, which he co-hosted with Sally Obermeder, before later cutting ties with the presenter.

The case against him was dismissed in September that year.

Franklin previously confirmed she had launched a ‘mercantile law – money lent’ civil action against her ex. The matter was due to be heard on Wednesday before the Sydney Local Court’s General Division, which hears claims worth between $20,000 and $100,000, but it didn’t go ahead.

A court spokesperson said the ‘listing had been vacated’, which can happen for any number of reasons, but Franklin made clear the saga was far from over.

When asked for an update on the civil case, and life in general, the former ballet instructor told The Group Chat: ‘Life is busy, beautiful, peaceful and full.

‘I’m in a completely different position from where I was six years ago. I’ve worked very hard to rebuild my life after an incredibly difficult period, and I’m very much looking forward to putting that chapter behind me.

‘I think the evidence will speak for itself.’

When contacted on Thursday, Phelan said he did not know why the matter had been vacated and could not comment further because it was ‘in the hands of my solicitors’.

He also had no comment in response to Franklin’s statement.

A brave new world 

Can someone check in on Michael Slater?

The disgraced former Test cricketer appears to have recently discovered AI slop and, judging by his Instagram feed, he’s making up for lost time.

For months, Slater has been churning out a bizarre stream of AI-generated videos, featuring cartoonish depictions of himself as some kind of working-class Aussie battler, invariably set to mournful country music (also AI) and accompanied by lengthy slabs of introspective drivel about his personal journey, ‘radical acceptance’, recovery and moving forward.

It’s exactly the sort of nonsense you’d expect from a man whose ‘Legal issues’ section on Wikipedia now comfortably outstrips his ‘Cricket career’.

And judging by the comments from his 55,000-strong following, they are not exactly clamouring for an encore.

‘Hey Slats, luv you mate… but these navel-gazing videos with naff country tunes, that’s the problem right there,’ one person wrote.

Even former England skipper Michael Vaughan appeared concerned, commenting: ‘Hope you are ok Slats x.’

Several followers questioned why Slater was suddenly posting ‘weird AI videos’, with some pleading for him to return to his regular, everyday updates.

Slater even responded to one concerned follower who urged him to ‘please stop this’.

‘Not sure what you mean with this comment?’ he replied.

The bizarre digital output comes after Slater largely retreated from public life following his highly publicised personal and legal troubles, including more than a year spent in custody.

The 55-year-old was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to seven charges, including domestic violence offences, but walked free having already served more than a year behind bars.

The charges related to multiple incidents involving a woman in the Noosa region in late 2023 and included allegations of assault, strangulation, burglary and stalking.

The court previously heard Slater had sent the woman more than 100 texts a day, including abusive messages, while she said she felt ‘extremely fearful and exhausted’ by his behaviour.

He was also convicted of domestic violence offences in 2022, while five women in NSW have taken out protection orders against him since 2016.

Last December, Cricket NSW removed him from its Hall of Fame and revoked his life membership over his domestic violence offences.

The once-celebrated opener, who represented Australia in 74 Tests and 42 ODIs before becoming a successful commentator, has made quite the career pivot.

And while I’m all for personal growth, I’m not convinced sloppy videos portraying him as some kind of down-on-his-luck bloke are the road to enlightenment.

Additional reporting by Joseph Scrimshire

The two University of Mississippi students who died in separate incidents amid an investigation involving suspected kratom exposure have been identified. The news comes only weeks after one student’s mother shared an emotional post celebrating his move to college.

The students were Aidan Hamilton, 18, and Robert Strang, 20. Both died Tuesday in or near the Ole Miss campus in Oxford, Mississippi.

Friends identified the men in comments to The Daily Mississippian. Hamilton was a freshman from Colorado, while Strang was a junior from Georgia.

Authorities were called to Stewart Hall, where officers performed CPR on Hamilton, according to the student newspaper.

Strang was later found dead at a house on Van Buren Avenue, an off-campus location, sources told the outlet.

Last month, Hamilton’s mother, Kathie, posted photos of her son inside his dorm room and outside the University of Mississippi campus.

She wrote that she and her husband, Peter, had officially become “empty nesters,” adding: “This is going to take some getting used to!!!!”

In a statement to Fox News, Scott Sayres, an attorney representing Strang’s family, said: “We are heartbroken by the loss of our dear son and are trying to process this unimaginable loss.”

“We are deeply grateful for the incredible outpouring of love, prayers and support from so many beloved friends and family members. Their kindness has meant more to our family than we can ever express.”

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Dr. Shawnboda Mead confirmed the students’ deaths on Tuesday.

As details began circulating online, Mead also addressed unverified claims that additional students could be missing.

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“We encourage our community not to speculate about the circumstances or repeat information that has not been officially confirmed,” she said.

The Lafayette County Metro Narcotics Unit later said on social media that packaged kratom had been found during both death investigations.

Kratom is an unregulated herbal product that can have stimulant-like effects and is sometimes used for energy, pain relief or withdrawal management. In larger amounts, it can affect the body in ways similar to opioids.

Investigators said the kratom was purchased from an unnamed retail business. However, authorities have not determined whether kratom, another substance or a combination of substances contributed to the deaths.

Officials urged the public to avoid consuming kratom or any other substance that has not been prescribed or medically recommended by a qualified professional.

‘Local, state, and federal partners are working collaboratively to gather the facts and provide answers as quickly and responsibly as possible,’ the agency said. 

‘We are also working closely with the families involved and ask that their privacy be respected during an incredibly difficult time.’ 

Police also reminded the community that Narcan, an over-the-counter medication that reverses an opioid overdose, is available in vending machines across campus. 

The university echoed the police, stating that their thoughts are with the friends, family, and loved ones of the two students. 

The mistress of a former American Idol contestant accused of killing his wife made disturbing online searches about unsolved murders just days after the alleged homicide.

Caleb Flynn, 40, is facing trial over the alleged murder of his wife, 37-year-old Ashley Flynn, who was found dead inside their Tipp City, Ohio, home on February 16.

Prosecutors allege that Flynn shot Ashley after carrying on a years-long affair with 24-year-old Alleigha Botner, then staged the home to make it appear that a burglar had entered.

Flynn has pleaded not guilty and maintains that an intruder killed his wife while he slept only feet away in another room with the couple’s two pre-teen daughters.

During cross-examination on Thursday, Botner acknowledged conducting several online searches, including: “Stories of wife being murdered and no suspect found.”

On February 19, she searched for “homicides in America that still remain unsolved” and “more recent homicides in America that still remain unsolved.”

She also told the court that she searched for both her own name and Ashley’s name.

Earlier that day, Botner broke down while reading the “hateful” text messages she and Flynn exchanged about wanting Ashley dead.

“Do you know how badly I want to say, ‘F it,’ to any rules and any barriers and just love you with my entire heart for the rest of my life,” Botner wrote to Flynn on July 10, 2025.

Botner began crying and told the court: “I just wish I didn’t say this. I didn’t mean it.”

She then continued reading the message: “I want to kill her, Caleb. It’s so bad.”

Flynn replied: “That makes two of us.”

The accused killer and former American Idol contestant sat silently in the courtroom as Botner read the exchanges aloud.

“Please hire someone to take douche out. I need you,” Flynn wrote to Botner on June 12, 2025, using the vulgar nickname the pair had given his wife.

Botner responded: “So tempting.”

On Wednesday, Botner testified that she and Flynn called Ashley “douchebag” and used other derogatory nicknames for her.

In another text exchange from July 3, 2025, Flynn wrote: ‘I hate douche. I sure as heck ain’t hanging with her. I hate my life, and I hate her.’

Botner replied: ‘This is why, baby, we need to find a way. I want to show you what a real marriage can be.’

The next day, on July 4, Botner wrote: ‘Douche needs to go.’

‘I would literally have a smile on my face the whole time. Please take her out,’ Flynn responded.

Flynn wrote a message to his mistress on August 22, 2025, saying that he was up all night thinking of ways to kill his wife, the court heard.

‘All I want is you. I’m sorry I’ve hurt you. I was up until 4am last night crying, literally thinking of ways to kill her and not go to jail,’ Flynn wrote.

‘Even though you have said if she was gone, you wouldn’t want me.’

He continued: ‘I’m sorry, Alleigha, for this all. Gosh, I’m sorry. I hate every second of this life I have to live.’

That same day, Botner texted: ‘I’m not asking that you take her life, obviously, because that’s not what you should do, and I know you actually wouldn’t. But to make the divorce happen, it would change everything.’

Flynn replied: ‘Don’t give me another thought. I’ll work on getting rid of her. Until then, I love you.’

On Wednesday, Botner revealed she was 20 when she met Flynn at Christian Life Center in Dayton, Ohio, in 2022, while she worked as an intern and he was either 36 or 37 and volunteered.

She then claimed that her relationship with Flynn became romantic after she went through a breakup in early 2024 and he began to show interest in her. 

Botner testified that Flynn told her that he hated his wife, and she gave him several ultimatums and deadlines to leave her.

The pair communicated until midnight on the night of the alleged murder, and she testified that she sent him several screenshots of her research on divorce proceedings that included information about custody issues, deleting messages and how Flynn’s wife could prove he cheated. 

The last thing Flynn told her was: ‘Good night, tomorrow’s a big day. I’ve got to get to bed. I choose you, I’m about to be free.’ 

Botner told the jury that prior to seeing Flynn in the courtroom on Wednesday, the last time she saw him was at Ashley’s parents’ house on February 16, hours after she was killed.

‘The first thing he said to me was, “It didn’t happen the way we thought it would, did it?”‘ Botner testified.