International
Saudi Arabia knocks Israel over move to annex Palestinian land
Saudi Arabia knocks Israel over move to annex Palestinian land
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Friday condemned moves by Israeli authorities to push ahead with construction of settlements around the occupied city of Jerusalem.
In a statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs also denounced pronouncements by Israeli officials to block internationally backed efforts to create a sovereign Palestinian state as part of a solution to the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israel’s moves to prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state “is a violation of international law, the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of their sovereign state,” the statement said.
“These decisions and statements confirm the continuation of the illegal expansionist policies of this Israeli government, its obstruction of the peace process, and the serious threat to the possibility of a two-state solution,” the statement said.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also strongly condemned Israel’s approval of a plan to build 3,400 new settlement units in the West Bank, including in Jerusalem.
IOC also stressed that the Israeli occupation and colonial settlement were illegal and must be ended immediately, state news agency SPA reported.
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“Israel’s ongoing policies of aggression, settlement, destruction, displacement, and blockade, describing them as systematic crimes that violate the rights of the Palestinian people, undermine the two-state solution, entrench annexation plans and attempt to impose Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territories,” the bloc said.
Earlier Thursday, Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced that work would start on a long-delayed settlement that would divide the West Bank and cut if off from East Jerusalem.
“Whoever in the world is trying to recognize a Palestinian state today will receive our answer on the ground. Not with documents nor with decisions or statements, but with facts. Facts of houses, facts of neighborhoods,” Smotrich was reported as saying.
Smotrich’s office later doubled down by saying the move would “bury” the idea of a Palestinian state.
Israeli media on Thursday also reported that Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has vowed that Israel “will not allow” the implementation of the two-state solution, which allows the creation of a Palestinian state standing side-by-side with Israel.
“A Palestinian state in the heart of the land of Israel would indeed be a solution — a solution for those seeking to destroy us. We will not allow that to happen,” Sa’ar said in a statement from his office and carried by the Times of Israel.
“If large countries like France and Canada wish to establish a Palestinian state within their own territory, they can — they have plenty of space. But here, in the land of Israel, it will not happen,” Sa’ar further reported as saying.
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France and Canada had recently announced plans to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state next month amid Israeli defiance of international calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and to allow humanitarian agencies to their work. Britain also threatened to follow suit unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire with Hamas, improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza, and work toward a long-term peace framework.
Call for immediate action
In view of the recent moves by Israeli officials, Saudi Arabia urged the international community “to assume its legal and moral responsibilities, protect the Palestinian people, and fulfill their legitimate rights, including recognition of the Palestinian state.”
“It must also compel Israel to stop its aggression against Gaza and its illegal violations in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and to halt its crimes against the Palestinian people, particularly those amounting to genocide, and hold the perpetrators accountable,” the statement said.
“The Kingdom renews its categorical rejection of Israeli policies based on settlement expansion, forced displacement, and the denial of the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights.
”It calls on the international community, especially the permanent members of the Security Council, to take immediate action to compel the Israeli occupation authorities to end their crimes against the Palestinian people and the annexation of Palestinian territory and to comply with UN resolutions and international law,“ the statement further said.
Saudi Arabia knocks Israel over move to annex Palestinian land
International
Trump Rules Out Ceasefire Extension With Iran
Trump Rules Out Ceasefire Extension With Iran
US President Donald Trump has ruled out extending the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran beyond its current deadline, warning that failure in ongoing negotiations could lead to renewed military confrontation.
Speaking in an interview with CNBC’s Squawk Box, Trump said he was not in favour of prolonging the truce, stressing that both sides must move quickly to reach a binding agreement.
“I don’t want to do that. We don’t have that much time,” he said, indicating that the situation remains time-sensitive as diplomatic talks continue under pressure.
The ceasefire, which is expected to expire on Wednesday evening, has temporarily eased tensions between Washington and Tehran, allowing both sides to regroup following weeks of heightened conflict and military escalation concerns.
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Trump noted that both countries had used the pause to “restock,” describing the truce as fragile and warning that it could collapse if negotiations fail to produce results.
He further suggested that the breakdown of talks could trigger a return to military operations, stating that he “expects bombing” to resume if diplomacy fails. According to him, the U.S. military remains fully prepared for any required action.
“I expect to be bombing because I think that’s a better attitude to go in with,” he said, defending a strong negotiating posture.
The president also reiterated earlier warnings about targeting Iranian infrastructure, including strategic facilities such as transport routes and power installations, arguing that such measures would weaken Iran’s military logistics and operational capacity.
Despite his hardline position, Trump acknowledged that Iran’s population is “incredible,” while describing its leadership as resistant to compromise. He insisted that a negotiated deal could still allow Iran to “become a strong nation again” if it agrees to terms acceptable to Washington.
The comments come as senior U.S. officials prepare for further diplomatic engagements, with Vice President JD Vance expected to participate in upcoming discussions aimed at extending the ceasefire and reducing tensions in the region.
Trump also criticised Iran’s internal handling of unrest, referencing reports of violent crackdowns on protests, which he said further complicate efforts toward lasting peace.
The latest remarks highlight continued uncertainty surrounding the U.S.–Iran ceasefire negotiations, with global observers closely watching whether diplomacy or renewed conflict will define the next phase of relations between both countries.
Trump Rules Out Ceasefire Extension With Iran
International
Man Gets Three Life Sentences for Killing Couple, Drowning Their 1-Year-Old Son in US
Man Gets Three Life Sentences for Killing Couple, Drowning Their 1-Year-Old Son in US
A man in the United States has been sentenced to three consecutive life terms in prison after pleading guilty to the brutal killing of a couple and their 1-year-old son in Reading, Pennsylvania.
The convict, identified as Jose Luis Rodriguez, admitted to three counts of first-degree murder, according to the Berks County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said the case began on September 13, 2025, when 31-year-old Junior Cabrera-Colon was found shot dead. Days later, authorities discovered that his wife, Geraldina Peguero-Mancebo, and their infant son, Jeyden Peguero, were missing, triggering a wider investigation.
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A week after the discovery of Cabrera-Colon’s body, police located the bodies of the missing mother and child in a wooded area. Prosecutors revealed that the toddler was found “partially submerged in a marshy area,” a detail that shocked investigators and the local community.
During court proceedings, prosecutors said Rodriguez confessed to killing all three victims. He allegedly picked up Peguero-Mancebo and her son, shot the woman, drowned the child, and later killed Cabrera-Colon.
The prosecution described the killings as premeditated and deliberate, stating that each act was carried out with intent and malice.
According to court records and reports by local media, Rodriguez claimed he had a personal relationship with Peguero-Mancebo and referenced financial disputes as a possible motive behind the killings.
The sentencing judge handed down three consecutive life sentences without parole, effectively ensuring Rodriguez will spend the rest of his life in prison.
Family members of the victims described the outcome as painful but necessary for closure, with relatives expressing gratitude that the case has reached a conclusion after months of emotional distress.
The case has drawn widespread attention in Pennsylvania due to its violent nature and the involvement of a young child, with prosecutors calling it one of the most disturbing family-related homicide cases in the region in recent years.
Man Gets Three Life Sentences for Killing Couple, Drowning Their 1-Year-Old Son in US
International
US Singer D4vd Faces Murder Charges Over Teen’s Death in Los Angeles
US Singer D4vd Faces Murder Charges Over Teen’s Death in Los Angeles
American singer D4vd, born David Anthony Burke, has been charged in connection with the killing of 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez, in a case that prosecutors have described as one of the most serious and disturbing in recent years.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, led by District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman, confirmed that the 21-year-old faces multiple felony charges, including first-degree murder, continuous sexual abuse of a minor, and mutilation of human remains.
According to investigators, the teenager was last seen on April 23, 2025, after visiting Burke at his residence in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles. She was reported missing shortly after she failed to return home.
Months later, on September 8, 2025, authorities made a gruesome discovery when her decomposed and dismembered remains were found inside the front trunk of a Tesla vehicle linked to the singer. Police reportedly traced the vehicle after receiving complaints about a strong odour, leading to the recovery of body parts stored in a cadaver bag.
Prosecutors say the case includes several special circumstance allegations, such as murder of a witness, murder for financial gain, and lying in wait. They also allege that Burke used a sharp instrument to carry out the killing.
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“This is a parent’s nightmare,” Hochman said during a press briefing, describing the case as “brutal and horrific.” He added that the charges represent the most severe offences his office can prosecute.
Jim McDonnell, chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, stated that authorities remain committed to ensuring justice for the victim and her family.
Burke was arrested on April 16, 2026, and is currently being held without bail. He is expected to be arraigned at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
If convicted, he faces either the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole, although prosecutors have yet to decide whether capital punishment will be pursued.
The singer’s legal team, led by Blair Berk, alongside Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter, has denied all allegations. In a statement, they said evidence will show that Burke “did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and was not the cause of her death.”
The case has already had major consequences for Burke’s career. He cancelled his planned “D4VD Withered” world tour and was dropped from brand partnerships with Hollister Co. and Crocs.
D4vd rose to prominence in 2022 with his hit Here With Me and later released Romantic Homicide, a track whose title he previously described as metaphorical rather than literal.
The case remains ongoing, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
US Singer D4vd Faces Murder Charges Over Teen’s Death in Los Angeles
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