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Saudi drums global support for Palestine, end to Israeli aggression

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Prince Faisal bin Farhan speaks during an emergency ministerial meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

Saudi drums global support for Palestine, end to Israeli aggression

NEW YORK CITY: Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its support for a two-state solution to the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians, during a peace conference co-chaired by the Kingdom and France at the UN General Assembly in New York on Monday.

Saudi authorities also called for global recognition of the State of Palestine, and an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza and the West Bank.

Delivering a statement on behalf of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Kingdom’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, began by sharing greetings from King Salman, along with the crown prince’s best wishes for the success of the conference.

He also thanked the French president, Emmanuel Macron, for the formal declaration of France’s recognition of the State of Palestine.

The one-day Saudi-French conference took place amid escalating violence in the Middle East. Prince Faisal condemned Israel’s ongoing aggression in Gaza, the West Bank and Al-Quds Al-Sharif (Jerusalem), including what he described as “brutal crimes,” as well as “repeated attacks on the sovereignty of Arab and Muslim countries,” citing in particular the recent Israeli strike on Doha.

“These actions underline the insistence of Israel to continue with its aggressive practices that threaten regional and international peace and stability and undermine efforts of peace in the region,” he said.

Only the implementation of a two-state solution can bring lasting peace, he added.

Prince Faisal also welcomed the recent successful vote by the UN General Assembly on the “New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution,” in which 142 member states out of 193 voted in favor.

“This reflects the will of the international community to render justice to the Palestinian people and consolidate their legal, historic rights in line with international frameworks, relevant UN resolutions, and the Arab Peace Initiative,” he added.

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He said Saudi Arabia stands ready to work with France and other peace-seeking nations to follow up on the outcomes of Monday’s conference, help end the war in Gaza, halt unilateral actions that undermine Palestinian sovereignty, and establish an independent Palestinian state along the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In his closing remarks, Prince Faisal thanked those states that have already officially recognized the State of Palestine, or plan to do so, and urged others to take “a similar historic step.”

He added: “Such action will have a great impact on supporting the efforts towards the implementation of the two-state solution, achieving permanent and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, and finding a new reality whereby the region can enjoy peace, stability and prosperity.”

FULL SPEECH:

In the name of God, the Merciful, the compassionate,

Your Excellency President of the Republic of France, your Excellency Secretary General, your Excellency President of the General Assembly, distinguished guests,

God, peace, and blessings be upon you. I have the honor to deliver the statement of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a co-chair of this conference, on behalf of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom.

It is my pleasure to convey to you the greetings of His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and his wishes along with the crown prince’s wishes for the success of this conference. We thank His Excellency President Macron and His Excellency Antonio Guterres for their efforts towards achieving the two-state solution; we thank him also for recognizing the State of Palestine.

This conference is co-chaired by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France at a time when the Israeli occupation authorities continue their aggression and their brutal crimes against our brothers the Palestinians in Gaza Strip and its violations in the West Bank and Al-Quds Al-Sharif and its repeated attacks on the sovereignty of Arab and Muslim countries, the latest of which was the attack against Qatar.

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This underlines the insistence of Israel to continue with its aggressive practices that threaten regional and international peace and stability and undermine efforts of peace in the region. This reiterates our deeply rooted conviction that the implementation of the two-state solution is the only way to achieve a just and permanent peace.

The historic position of his Excellency the French President to recognize the State of Palestine, and the fact that many countries have taken this similar courageous position, and the broad support for the resolution of the General Assembly to adopt (the declaration) the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-state solution that received 142 votes in its favor reflects the will of the international community to render justice to the Palestinian people and consolidate their legal historic right in line with international frameworks and relevant UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

The Kingdom is keen on continuing its partnership with France and all countries calling for peace to follow up on the implementation of the outcomes of this conference to put an end to the war in Gaza and stop all unilateral measures that threaten Palestinian sovereignty, to work on ending the conflict in the region, and establish the Palestinian independent state on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

In conclusion, we thank again those countries that have recognized or have announced their intention to recognize the State of Palestine; we call all other countries to take a similar historic step that will have a great impact on supporting the efforts towards the implementation of the two-state solution, achieve permanent and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, and find a new reality whereby the region can enjoy peace, stability, and prosperity.

Thank you.

Saudi Arabia and France issued a statement after the peace conference at the UN General Assembly.

The text of the joint statement:

1. We, Leaders of the Republic of France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Co-Chairs of the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, commend States who gathered at the United Nations in New York on the 22nd of September 2025 at a historically critical moment for peace, security, and stability in the Middle East.

2. The High-Level International Conference led to the adoption of the New York Declaration endorsed by the General Assembly with an outstanding majority of 142 votes. This ambitious declaration reaffirms the unwavering international commitment to the Two-State solution and charts an irreversible pathway to build a better future for Palestinians, Israelis and all peoples of the region.

3. As we are gathered, the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate with the intensification of the Israeli ground offensive in Gaza city, and with civilians and hostages paying an unjustifiable price due to the ongoing war. The New York Declaration aims at providing a principled, yet realistic alternative to the cycle of violence and endless wars.

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4. It is now time for the international community to move from words to deeds. We commend the important work done by the seventeen co-chairs of the working groups of the conference to draw a path for a swift implementation of the Two-State solution. We call on all States to swiftly implement the New York declaration through tangible, concrete and irreversible measures. We welcome the important commitments and measures already taken by UN Member States.

5. We welcome the recognition of the State of Palestine by Australia, Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Denmark, Andorra, Monaco and San Marino, alongside France, confirmed today at the United Nations’ General Assembly. We invite States which have not done so to join this movement.

6. Ending the war in Gaza and ensuring the release of all hostages remains our absolute priority. We call for a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, exchange of prisoners, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

7. In order to secure the Day After for Palestinians and Israelis, we commit to supporting the deployment of a temporary international stabilization mission upon invitation by the Palestinian Authority, to be mandated by the UN Security Council, in line with the New York Declaration. Meanwhile, we commit to scaling up our support to train and equip Palestinian police and security forces, building on existing programs, including USSC, EUPOLCOPPS and EUBAM Rafah.

8. We stress the importance of unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority. We welcome the “One State, One Government, One Law, One Gun” policy of the Palestinian Authority and pledge our continued support to its implementation. In the context of ending the war in Gaza, we reiterate that Hamas must end its rule in Gaza, disarm and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, with international engagement and support, in line with the objective of a sovereign Palestinian State.

9. This Conference, and the recognition of Palestine, aims at the realization of a sovereign, democratic and economically viable State of Palestine, living side by side in peace and security with Israel. In that regard, we commend the historic commitments made by President Mahmoud Abbas including to the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine, the continued rejection of violence and terrorism, and his statement that the Palestinian State has no intention to be a militarized State and is ready to work on security arrangements beneficial to all parties, in full respect of its sovereignty.

10. We welcome the reforms already underway by the Palestinian Authority, including:

The abrogation of the prisoners’ payment system, that is now effective;

The schooling/curricula reform, under EU supervision and with Saudi support;

The commitment to hold democratic and transparent general and presidential elections within a year after a ceasefire, enabling democratic competition between Palestinian actors committed to respect the PLO platform and principles.

We support President Abbas in advancing further measures to reform the governance of the Palestinian Authority.

11. We welcome the launching of the Emergency Coalition for Palestine to mobilize emergency budgetary support to the Palestinian Authority. We invite all States and international organizations to join this effort. We reiterate our call for the immediate release by Israel of withheld Palestinian tax revenues and commit to the revision of the Paris Protocol on Economic Relations and the establishment of a new framework for clearance revenue transfers.

12. We urge the Israeli leadership to seize this opportunity for peace, and to issue a clear public commitment to the Two-State solution, immediately end violence and incitement against Palestinians, halt all settlement, land grabs, and annexation activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and put an end to settlers’ violence. As a first step, we urge Israel to rescind the E1 project, and publicly renounce any annexation project. We reiterate that any form of annexation is a redline for the international community that bears serious consequences and constitutes a direct risk to existing and future peace agreements.

13. In that regard, we welcome concrete measures taken by Member States to respond to unilateral measures against the Two-State solution and to violations of international law until Israel puts an end to actions that are endangering the Two-State solution, in full compliance with international law.

14. We reaffirm that ending the Israeli occupation and achieving just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, based on the relevant UN resolutions, is the only way to achieve full regional integration, as provided for in the Arab Peace initiative. In that regard, we welcome the commitment to explore a regional security architecture that could provide security guarantees for all, building on the experience of ASEAN and OSCE, paving the way for a more stable Middle East. We reiterate our support to renewed effort on the Syria-Israel and Lebanon-Israel tracks with the aim of achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, in accordance with international law and the relevant UN resolutions.

15. We reiterate our call to all States to join this dynamic to ensure peace and security for all in the Middle East, mutual recognition and full regional integration.

Saudi drums global support for Palestine, end to Israeli aggression

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Gunmen Injure 12 in Shooting Near Ohio Festival in US

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Gunmen Injure 12 in Shooting Near Ohio Festival in US

Gunmen Injure 12 in Shooting Near Ohio Festival in US

At least 12 people were injured in a shooting near a community festival in the U.S. state of Ohio, prompting a major police response and an ongoing manhunt for the suspects involved.

The incident occurred on Saturday evening near the Old West End Festival in Toledo, according to the Toledo Police Department, one of the city’s largest annual cultural events celebrating the historic Old West End district.

Police said officers responded to reports of gunfire at about 5:37 p.m. local time near the festival grounds around the intersection of Delaware Avenue and Robinwood Avenue, where large crowds had gathered for music, food vendors, and community activities.

Authorities confirmed that multiple victims were struck during the shooting, and emergency responders quickly transported the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment.

In an update, officials said 10 victims were in stable condition, while two others remained in critical condition as medical teams continued to provide care.

Speaking on the incident, Toledo Deputy Police Chief Joe said preliminary investigations suggest the shooting may have stemmed from an exchange of gunfire between two individuals.

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“It appeared that two people fired weapons and they were probably shooting at each other,” he said, adding that victims ranged in age from 16 to 61 years.

Earlier, Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz told local broadcaster WTOL 11 that all injured victims were expected to survive, describing the attack as a disturbing disruption to a long-standing community celebration.

The Old West End Festival is a two-day annual event that attracts thousands of attendees and features live music, food stalls, house tours, and cultural exhibitions across one of the largest historic districts in the United States.

Following the incident, police cordoned off parts of the festival area and launched an intensive investigation, focusing on the surrounding streets where the shooting occurred. Officers are reviewing surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts to identify those responsible.

Videos circulating on social media showed festival-goers running for safety as multiple gunshots rang out, while emergency responders attended to victims and transported some on stretchers. Authorities said the footage is being reviewed as part of the investigation, though it has not yet been independently verified.

Reacting to the shooting, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine expressed concern and offered support to victims and law enforcement officials.

“I am deeply concerned about the situation in Toledo tonight,” he said. “Summer festivals should be safe spaces for families… and we are confident that law enforcement will locate the suspects involved in this senseless crime.”

Police confirmed that no arrests had been made as of the latest update, but said active efforts were ongoing to track down the suspects and determine the exact motive behind the shooting.

Authorities urged members of the public with information to come forward as investigations continue.

Gunmen Injure 12 in Shooting Near Ohio Festival in US

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How a Nigerian Man Bypassed TSA, Boarded United Flight Using Fake Boarding Pass

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How a Nigerian Man Bypassed TSA, Boarded United Flight Using Fake Boarding Pass
Abdulrahman Oluwatumike Oriyomi

How a Nigerian Man Bypassed TSA, Boarded United Flight Using Fake Boarding Pass

A major security scare erupted at a United States airport after a man allegedly bypassed boarding procedures and boarded a departing passenger aircraft, forcing authorities to halt the flight and launch an extensive security operation. The suspect, Abdulrahman Oluwatumike Oriyomi, now faces a felony charge for the May 18, 2026, incident at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas.

According to court documents and investigators, Oriyomi passed through a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint at Terminal C after presenting identification and having his photo taken. Despite possessing an invalid boarding document, he was allowed through security screening into the sterile area of the airport. He then moved between different sections of the terminal and attempted to access multiple departure gates.

Authorities said he unsuccessfully tried to scan a boarding pass at several gates. His first attempt was for a 7:18 a.m. United Airlines flight to Los Angeles, which failed. More than an hour later, he appeared at another gate where United Flight 469 was preparing for departure to the same destination. Investigators allege that while gate agents were attending to passengers, Oriyomi took advantage of the distraction, pretended to show his boarding pass, slipped past the podium, and proceeded down the jet bridge onto the aircraft without authorization.

Once on board, witnesses reported that Oriyomi initially sat in an aisle seat next to a female passenger before moving around the cabin. The passenger later realized the seat had already been purchased by another traveler. Court records indicate Oriyomi then retreated to a restroom as the plane pushed back from the gate and began taxiing for departure.

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The security breach was not discovered until the aircraft had already begun taxiing away from the gate. Flight attendants were alerted that someone was inside an aircraft restroom. When they made contact with Oriyomi, he identified himself as “Mr. Lopez” and reportedly asked to sit in the jump seat because the flight was full. A flight attendant checked the passenger manifest and discovered no authorized passenger under that name. The crew immediately notified the cockpit, prompting the captain to order the aircraft back to the gate.

The incident triggered a large-scale response involving airport police, the FBI, the TSA, airline security officials, the Houston Police Department’s Explosive Detection K-9 Unit, and other law enforcement agencies. Passengers were ordered off the aircraft while security teams searched the plane and conducted precautionary checks, including screening for possible explosives. No explosives or other threats were found.

The disruption delayed the Los Angeles-bound flight for approximately three hours and affected normal airport operations.

Investigators later reviewed surveillance footage and examined the boarding document allegedly used by Oriyomi. A boarding pass image recovered from his mobile device was determined to be fraudulent because key information and the scannable QR code required for verification were missing. A Bush Airport representative concluded the document was fake, and authorities determined that Oriyomi’s original airline reservation had been canceled due to nonpayment.

Following the investigation, prosecutors charged Oriyomi with impairing or interrupting the operation of a critical infrastructure facility, a felony offense under Texas law that alleges he disrupted both airport and airline operations. Prosecutors argued that the alleged incident delayed a flight carrying a full plane of passengers for approximately three hours and prompted responses from multiple law enforcement and security agencies.

A judge set his bond at $25,000 and imposed conditions prohibiting him from entering any airport, surrendering any passports or travel documents, refraining from possessing firearms, and submitting to electronic monitoring if ordered by the court. If convicted, he could face significant penalties under Texas law.

Aviation security experts have raised concerns about the incident, pointing to multiple failures in airport screening procedures. Michael Matranga, a former Secret Service agent who now runs the consulting group M6 Global Defense, told ABC7 that TSA agents should never have allowed Oriyomi through security without a valid boarding pass. “I think this is a pretty significant breach, not just because of the fact that he ended up on the plane; it’s the multiple layers and failures to even get on the plane,” Matranga said. He suggested that at a minimum, the agents directly involved and potentially the entire cadre of agents at the airport need to be retrained on policy and consistency.

Authorities have stated that there is currently no indication the incident was terrorism-related. Investigators have not publicly disclosed a motive for Oriyomi’s actions. Reports indicate he worked as a tax consultant before his arrest and has no known prior criminal record.

Oriyomi was initially questioned and given a trespass warning on the day of the incident, but charges were not filed until June 1, 2026. He was arrested on June 5. The case is pending in Harris County’s 180th District Court. United Airlines declined to comment and referred questions to law enforcement. A response from the TSA was not immediately available.

How a Nigerian Man Bypassed TSA, Boarded United Flight Using Fake Boarding Pass

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Nigerian Man Jailed for Life for Stabbing Friend Over Debt in London

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Nigerian Man Jailed for Life for Stabbing Friend Over Debt in London
Fawaz Abdulkareem and Daniel Manuel

Nigerian Man Jailed for Life for Stabbing Friend Over Debt in London

A 36-year-old Nigerian man, Fawaz Abdulkareem, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the fatal stabbing of a friend during a dispute over money at a high-rise flat in Vauxhall, south London. Abdulkareem must serve a minimum of 17 years before he can be considered for parole.

Croydon Crown Court heard that Abdulkareem murdered 32-year-old Daniel Manuel on July 5, 2025, following an argument inside the defendant’s 14th-floor flat on Bondway. The court was told that what began as a social evening between friends ended in extreme violence, followed by a clumsy attempt to cover up the crime.

According to prosecutors, Abdulkareem and Manuel had spent the evening together at a nightclub before returning to Abdulkareem’s apartment with a group of friends. In the early hours of the morning, an argument erupted over a debt that Abdulkareem owed Manuel. During the altercation, Abdulkareem armed himself with a kitchen knife and stabbed Manuel three times. One of the wounds, forensic evidence later showed, was inflicted while the victim’s back was turned, undermining the defendant’s later claim of self-defence.

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The Metropolitan Police arrived at the scene at approximately 5:38 am following reports of a stabbing. Officers found Daniel Manuel suffering from serious injuries in the lobby of the apartment block. Despite emergency first aid from police, paramedics, and hospital staff, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators established that after the stabbing, Abdulkareem left the flat with the knife still tucked into his waistband. He removed his T-shirt to hide the weapon as he walked through communal areas. When he realised emergency services were approaching, he discarded the blade by throwing it from the 14th-floor window of the building. The knife was later recovered by police. One of the first officers on the scene noticed blood on Abdulkareem’s clothing and arrested him immediately.

Throughout the trial at Croydon Crown Court, Abdulkareem claimed he had acted in self-defence. However, a jury rejected his account and found him guilty of murder and possession of a bladed article on May 21, 2026. On June 5, 2026, the court sentenced Abdulkareem to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 17 years before he becomes eligible for parole.

In a powerful victim impact statement read to the court, Daniel Manuel’s wife, Zulal, described the profound and lasting damage caused by his death. “Daniel was not just my husband, he was my partner, my home, my emotional safety and the person I built my entire life around,” she said. “Losing him in such a violent and sudden way has completely shattered my world. This loss has affected every part of my life – emotionally, physically, financially. I am still trying to survive the aftermath of it.”

Detective Inspector Luke Hampton, who led the investigation for the Metropolitan Police, spoke after the sentencing. “Daniel was murdered in a moment of extreme violence by a man he thought was his friend,” Hampton said. “Abdulkareem tried to deceive police, recklessly throwing the murder weapon from the window of the 14th floor of a tower block and cruelly claiming it was Daniel who had attacked him. Met detectives saw through his lies and worked hard to secure a conviction. His claims of self-defence were dismissed by the jury.” He added: “Our thoughts remain with Daniel’s family, and we hope this sentence provides them with some measure of comfort.” The Metropolitan Police said the case underscores ongoing efforts to tackle serious violent crime and bring offenders to justice across London.

Nigerian Man Jailed for Life for Stabbing Friend Over Debt in London

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