Key updates, Tuesday:

2hr ago After cordial meeting with Trump, Mamdani renews attack on 'architect of genocide' Netanyahu

6hr ago Iran threatens to use new weapons, hit new targets if US escalates war

6hr ago 'Dad, thank you for saving my life': Terror victim Netanel Shukrun laid to rest

Charges to be dropped against pro-Palestinian protesters who occupied Stanford building

Charges against five former and current Stanford University students will be dismissed in relation to a 2024 pro-Palestinian demonstration in which protesters barricaded themselves inside the school president’s office.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office says it will dismiss the charges if the five defendants complete 100 hours of community service each and pay about $52,000 combined in restitution to the university.

Santa Clara County Deputy Public Defender Avi Singh, who represented one of the defendants, said all had “made full restitution and agreed to complete substantial community service so they can move forward with their lives,” according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

A judge declared a mistrial in February after jurors could not reach a verdict. Twelve protesters were initially charged with felony vandalism. Seven of them previously accepted plea deals or diversion programs.

Prosecutors said at the time the charges were filed that at least one suspect entered the building by breaking a window. Police arrested 13 people on June 5, 2024, in relation to the incident and the university said the building sustained “extensive” damage.

The charges were among the most serious against participants in the 2024 pro-Palestinian protest movement on US colleges in which demonstrators demanded an end to Israeli strikes on Gaza and to Washington’s support for its ally, along with a divestment of funds by their universities from companies supporting Israel.

After cordial meeting with Trump, Mamdani renews attack on ‘architect of genocide’ Netanyahu

After holding a surprisingly cordial meeting with US President Donald Trump in New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani repeats his verbal attacks on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that in his view, the premier should be arrested during his upcoming visit to the UN General Assembly in the city.

“When it comes to Benjamin Netanyahu, I have described him as I believe him to be — a war criminal and an architect of a horrific genocide of the Palestinian people,” Mamdani tells CNN in an interview, adding that the issue was discussed during the meeting with Trump at the mayor’s residence, Gracie Mansion.

The far-left mayor, who vowed for months to arrest Netanyahu if he came to New York City even though he lacks the authority to do so, recently acknowledged he is powerless to prevent the visit, and added that he will not........

© The Times of Israel