Kourtney Kardashian Fights With Scott Disick: Be a "More Responsible Father" or "Get Out!"

Pregnant Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick are fighting; she tells him to become a "more responsible father" or "get out!"

Kourtney Kardashian is not exactly having the most peaceful pregnancy. Although she and love of eight years Scott Disick are happily expecting their third child together, Disick has seemingly reverted to his hard-partying days during the family's summer in the Hamptons, N.Y.—and Kardashian, 35, is losing her patience, multiple pals reveal in the new Us Weekly. That's led to increasingly ugly fights, including at least one, on June 9, when Kardashian kicked him out of the familiy's rented $14 million estate to spend the night at a hotel.
"Kourtney was yelling at Scott after she found an inappropriate picture of him with another girl," a Kardashian source explains of the couple, already parents to son Mason, 4, and daughter Penelope, 23 months.
Mourning the recent deaths of both of his parents, Disick has been shirking family time for nights out in NYC. During the June 9 blowout at the Hamptons home (Kourtney, sister Khloe et al are filming spinoff Kourtney & Khloe Take the Hamptons), Kourtney confronted her man in the driveway. "You need to be a more responsible father and get better," she screamed, according to the source. "There is another baby on the way! You need to straighten up or get out!"
A source confirms that Disick spent the night at the nearby Southampton Inn and "looked stressed," according to an eyewitness.
The Kardashian source adds that pregnant Kourtney is "worried" and "hopes the new baby will be a wake-up call.

The World’s Poorest President, Jose Mujica

The World’s Poorest President, Jose Mujica

inShare

The world poorest president may not be a news to you but what might be a news to you is his lifestyle. Yes, I have heard of him before merely as the world poorest President but never read about his lifestyle. You might not believe it, but Jose Mujica, president of Uruguay since 2010, is known to be the world’s poorest president, a farmer and lives in his farm house.

Jose donates more than 90% of his $12,000 per month salary to benefit the poor and to help small entrepreneurs.  If we need more of anything in this world, it would be more people like this!
This man doesn’t put value on his appearance or clothes.  He is criticized for his posture and clothes, but Jose puts more value on other things in life instead.
Before his presidency, he was a guerilla fighter for Tupamaros, which acted like “Robin hood.”  They literally robbed evil banks, gun clubs, and other businesses to give to the poor. He truly believed that his value was not in gaining more money, it was in the wellbeing of his country and people.  He was imprisoned 2 times for a total of 14 years and shot 6 times after an escape attempt, But he still continues to fight for the people even in his high office now as president of Uruguay.

Mujica could live in this beautiful Presidential house (slideshow no. 4), but has chosen a more humble place to live.  He is a honest example of a president that gives up his own comfort for the wellbeing of others.

…And this is where he lives(slideshow no.5), on a farm with his wife and dog.  He is also working to change the fancy presidential house into a museum that pays honor to past presidents.  There’s no reason for money, fame, and a nice place to sleep when you can be humble and live on a farm.  This president lives the life!

His part time farming job, keeps him aware of the struggles and life that most other people of his country go though.  He also grows and then sells flowers from his farm.  You can see him frequently driving his old 1987 Volkswagon Beetle (slideshow no.6 ).  He doesn’t need a fancy Bentley, because he doesn’t care about having a extravagant appearance.  His people are what matters and what matters are his people.

Jose’s protection consists of two guards and his 3 legged dog named Manuela (slideshow no.7 ).

Even though he is known as the poorest president, he strongly disagrees. He says, “I’m not the poorest president. The poorest is the one who needs a lot to live… My lifestyle is a consequence of my wounds. I’m the son of my history. There have been years when I would have been happy just to have a mattress.”
This president’s example is a testament to how we should live our lives.  We don’t need more things to be happy.  In fact, some of the most wealthy people in the world, have their wealth stored in the currency of unselfishness, kindness, and true love.  Maybe its time for a change?
This is not a message for presidents alone, it's a model for us all to appreciate and take after; TRUE HUMILITY. What do you think?

Woman sets up fake Facebook account, learns that niece is planning her murder.

A 19-year-old Alabama woman is in jail after she asked a fictional stranger to murder her family and dog.

According to court records obtained by AL.com, Marissa Williams lived with her aunt in Fosters, Alabama, but their relationship became strained after Williams began asking strangers she met on Facebook over to her aunt’s house.

When her aunt asked her to stop and refused to allow her to attend parties with strangers she met online, Williams blocked her aunt on Facebook.

So her aunt created a fake profile for “Tre ‘Topdog’ Ellis” and added her niece as a friend, hoping that she could use the ruse to teach Williams about the dangers of online social interaction.

According to court documents, the experiment backfired. On the first day Williams interacted online with “Ellis,” she provided the fictional man with her phone number and home address, asked him to buy her alcohol and bring it to her aunt’s home to drink, and offered to have sex with him if he would pay her $50 phone bill.

A few days later, she confessed to “Ellis” that she hated her life in Alabama and wanted him to come to her aunt’s house and “kidnap” her. Williams said that if her aunt tried to stop him, he should just shoot and kill her.

Her plans became increasingly elaborate, as she eventually provided the fictional man with instructions on how to break into her aunt’s house, and requested that he break in her aunt’s window so he could murder her and her fiance first. She also requested he kill her cousin and the family dog before he “kidnapped” her.

Inside Details on Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's "Relaxing" Mexican Vacation!

Keeping Up With Sandy Rose learned that Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are taking it easy during their Mexican getaway.
The newlyweds, who are currently staying at a private residence, have been soaking up the sun and getting in some much-needed rest and relaxation free of any distractions.
"It's been really nice for them to relax, just the two of them. After their time in Ireland, they really wanted some tropical sun," an insider tells us.
"They've had the huge house all to themselves, other than the staff that is there waiting on them. They've literally been doing nothing except relaxing all day long."
And according to our source, North West's mama has been spending her downtime "reading magazines and surfing the internet on her laptop," while her rapper hubby listened to music by the pool.
Mr. and Mrs. West are without a doubt in the lap of luxury.
The two have enjoyed spa treatments throughout their days-long break and have had all of their meals prepared for them. Whatever they want, they get!
Considering Kimye's jam-packed schedule this summer, their private couples' trip was just what the doctor ordered.
"They really needed this break together to chill out and be alone," our insider added.

Lily Tomlin Says Beyonce "Sells Sex to Teeny-Boppers," Jokes About Solange Elevator Incident.

Lily Tomlin accused Beyonce of "selling a lot of sex to teeny-boppers," and then joked that the superstar would send Solange to fight her in an elevator Credit: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage; Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Lily Tomlin isn't buying what Beyonce's selling -- which, in her opinion, is sex, and a lot of it. Asked in a recent interview with PrideSource what she thinks of the "Partition" singer as a modern-day feminist, Tomlin said Bey is part of a culture that makes young girls "too sexually available."
"She is a pretty popular woman and she's married to a very powerful man, but she's still selling sex," the 74-year-old comedian explained. "She's selling a lot of sex to teeny-boppers."
Told by the interviewer that the Beygency might take offense at her comments, Tomlin replied, "Oh, s--t. I like her! I don't dislike her! But I don't pay any attention to that because -- I mean, she's fantastically beautiful and dances, but, you know, it's very suggestive. If I was a 10-year-old, I would try to emulate her like most 10-year-olds do."
She went on to say that her issue isn't really with Beyonce but with society being "so sexualized" with girls and women. "I shouldn't even talk about Beyonce because, hard as it is to believe and as much as she is present in the culture, I'm not terribly conversant with Beyonce," Tomlin, a noted feminist, admitted. "If you played her songs, I wouldn't necessarily recognize them. I'm familiar with her image and how incredibly vivacious and sexual she is to watch, so I just chalk it up to the culture."
"Jay Z and Beyonce are their own thing," she added of the superstar couple, parents to daughter Blue Ivy, 2. "I mean, they come swathed in a culture that is wide and deep, and that's great. They make a lot of money. I don't know what else they do."
Perhaps taking the Beygency warning to heart, she joked, "You're gonna put words in my mouth! The whole Beyonce thing is gonna come after me." Then, referencing the infamous elevator incident between Bey's husband, Jay Z, and her sister, Solange, Tomlin said: "They'll send Solange after me. I'll be in the elevator and they'll beat the hell out of me."
Later in the conversation, the PrideSource interviewer quipped that Ms. Frizzle of The Magic School Bus -- a character voiced by Tomlin in the 1990s -- could probably take Solange. "Say I said that," Tomlin replied, laughing. "Get a whole thing going where Beyonce's people are gonna come after me because I said, 'Ms. Frizzle could take down Solange in an elevator.'"?

Lea Michele: 25 Things You Don't Know About Me.

 

 Lea Michele reveals 25 things about herself to Us Weekly. Credit: Mark Davis/Getty Images

This year, Lea Michele has been hitting all the right notes: Along with with wrapping up season 5 of Glee, she's also released her solo album Louder, and her new book, Brunette Ambition is out now. Below, the 27-year-old star shares 25 things you don't know about her.
1. I love homemade beauty remedies like cucumber face masks.
2. I love to cook! My go-to recipe is shaved radicchio, Parm and truffle whole-wheat pizza with a sunny side-up egg.
3. I worked at my dad's Jewish deli as a kid.
4. I have a cat named Sheila that I found with her litter under a bush on the Paramount lot. [Glee costar] Heather Morris has her brother.
5. Aliens was one of the first movies I ever saw. I'm still scared of scary movies, but I love them.
6. Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill was the first CD I ever bought, and I still have it.
7. Growing up, hermit crabs were my favorite pet. I had about 20.
8. Almost Famous and Funny Girl are my top two movies.
9. I keep Gummi bears in the freezer and eat them in bed at night.
10. Drinking coffee in the morning is the most cherished part of my day.
11. I have a scar on my forehead from a boy throwing a tap shoe at my head in preschool.
12. I was a varsity debater in high school, and it's still one of the best things I've ever done.
13. I stole toilet paper from the White House when the Glee cast sang for Barack Obama.
14. I can open up a Starburst in my mouth.
15. My parents have been together since they were 13 years old.
16. I have 14 tattoos.
17. The first song I sang was Phantom of the Opera's "Angel of Music."
18. Watching angry news bloopers on YouTube is my guilty pleasure.
19. I can recite all of Maria's lines in West Side Story in Spanish. That's the only Spanish I know.
20. My parents are fluent in Spanish, but they made me try to learn French.
21. I was electrocuted by a horse fence while visiting Jonathan Groff's family farm.
22. As a child, I told my mom that I would one day marry Michael Jordan.
23. Stevie Nicks gave me one of her moon necklaces, and it's one of my most treasured possessions.
24. In Broadway's Spring Awakening, I got naked on stage every night.
25. I'm terrified of sharks and dark water. 

Kim Kardashian Wedding Album Exclusive: See New Photos of North, the Bridal Party and Kim and Kanye West on Their Big Day.

You didn't think you had seen it all when it came to Kim Kardashian's wedding, did you?
We've seen the fabulous Givenchy Haute Couture gown, we've seen Kim and Kanye West indulging in their first kiss as husband and wife, we've seen the his-and-hers leather jackets. We even got to see what it looks like when a groom surprises his bride by arranging for international superstar Andrea Bocelli to serenade her during their ceremony.
But that was just the top of the six-tier cake.
E! News has exclusively obtained more never-before-seen photos from Kim and Kanye's lavish nuptials in Florence, Italy, including the first shot of the married couple posing with daughter North West, taken on the roof of the historic Forte di Belvedere after the ceremony.
The image provides the sharpest view yet of the detailing on Kim's veil and gown and Kanye's brand-new wedding band, as well as a full-length look at the pint-size Givenchy dress created for North!

Another photo shows Kanye chatting with the bridal party after the ceremony in a bright, airy room that somehow illustrates all on its own the idyllic Mediterranean setting. Khloé Kardashian is holding North in the pic and Kourtney Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner are gathered all around, each one in a white dress tailored to her individual style.
As Kendall later said, "We just wore some simple pretty gowns that Kim and Kanye picked out."
"The image was taken right after Kim and Kanye wed," Khloé tells E! News. "We were all discussing how calm and dream-like the wedding was. The peace in Kim and Kanye was undeniable. We all felt as if they had been married in another lifetime. I have always believed these two are soul mates."
Adds Kourtney: "It was right after they said their vows and we all came back to the fort. This picture is beautiful. Every moment was like a fairy-tale dream come true."

And in a third image there's Kanye before go-time having a quiet, sunlit moment with pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr., who performed the ceremony.
As per tradition, the groom had not seen his bride-to-be since the night before and had taken separate private jets from Paris to Florence, a culturally resonant destination very near and dear to their hearts, that morning.
Kim and Kanye swapped vows on May 24 in front of family, dear friends and an enormous wall of white roses at the 16th-century-era Forte di Belvedere.
The newlyweds will be celebrating daughter North's first birthday on Sunday, which also happens to be Father's Day—another reason to go above and beyond with the celebrating, as this family is so very fond of doing.
Don't miss the lead-up to the wedding, from proposal to "I do," on new episodes of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Sunday at 9 p.m. on E!

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher Waiting Until After Baby to Get Married—Get the Scoop!

• 
  

 

First things first!
Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher have a busy year ahead of them between planning the arrival of their first child, moving into their family home, tying the knot, and oh, their careers!
E! News has learned that the engaged duo is "not planning to get married before the baby is born" because "they have a lot going on right now." You can say that again.
"They've been focusing on prepping for the baby and the new house," a source close to the couple tells us.
"But they are really happy and in love. They can't wait for their baby to arrive."
Just last month, the future husband and wife purchased a 7,351-square-foot mansion in Beverly Hills for $10 million.
Their new house sits on about a half-acre of land in the hills and boasts four bedrooms and three bathrooms, and it offers plenty of privacy.

 

Just last night, the expectant actress flew solo as she attended the premiere of Third Person at Hollywood's Linwood Dunn Theater Pickford Center for Motion Study
She showed off her adorable growing baby bump in a chic black dress paired with Gemfields gold jewelry and patent nude pumps.
The 30-year-old star also flashed her gorgeous diamond engagement ring from the Two and a Half Men actor.
The mama-to-be posed for photos with director Paul Haggis, producer Michael Nozik and co-stars Moran Atias and Maria Bello.
Looks like wedding bells and baby rattles are just around the corner!

Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith Kiss, Hold Hands on Beach in Hawaii: Pictures.

The Smith's enjoy some R&R in Hawaii on June 9. Credit: DaGreenTeam/Splash News

Still in love! Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith packed on the PDA while on vacation in Hawaii on June 9.
Looking perfectly toned in a red and blue bikini, Jada held hands and kissed her husband after he finished a workout on the beach. Will looked equally as fit as his 42-year-old wife in green swim trunks and a white tank.
The couple, who married in 1997, were joined by their 13-year-old daughter Willow.

The teen made headlines last month when she was photographed laying in bed with good friend, Moises Arias, who is 20 years old.
When asked by photographers how Jada felt about the controversial pic, the mom went on the defensive, telling photographers: "There was nothing sexual about that picture or that situation."
"You guys are projecting your trash onto it," Jada continued, "You're acting like covert pedophiles and that's not cool."

Lil' Kim Gives Birth to Baby Girl—Find Out Her Seriously Regal Name!

 

Step aside, Prince George—a new royal baby has arrived!
Lil' Kim gave birth to a baby girl named Royal Reign at 9:58 a.m. Monday morning at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, the rapper's rep says. The little princess weighed in at 6 pounds, 5 ounces, and measured 19.5 inches long.
(Little Miss Royal might not officially be in line for the British throne, she is most definitely rap royalty!)
This is the first child for the self-proclaimed "Queen of Rap" and her boyfriend and reported baby daddy, New York-based rapper Mr. Papers.
Lil' Kim first announced pregnancy news in February at a MAC Cosmetics afterparty during New York's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, "My little boo boo is coming! My little baby boo, my sunshine!"
On Easter Sunday, the pregnant star Instagrammed a gender reveal for her baby-to be, posting a Save the Date for her May 20 "royal baby shower for my lil' princess!"
Aw! Well, congrats to Lil' Kim on the arrival of Royal Reign! Now the question is, when does she get her first tiara?!

 

Kourtney Kardashian Reveals That She Is Pregnant on Keeping Up With the Kardashians Premiere—See the Full Recap!

On tonight's season premiere of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, the Kardashians are back in full force: Kris Jenner signs up for pole dancing classes, Khloé Kardashian struggles with moving out of her house, and Kourtney Kardashian reveals that she is pregnant with her third child!
The episode starts out with Kim Kardashian and sisters Kourtney and Khloé jumping on a trampoline in the backyard, but things get serious when Khloé reveals that someone has already made an offer on the house that she and Lamar Odom used to live in together.
While this is good news, Khloé admits that she is afraid of the sudden change and feels confused and lost.

Later on, Kim goes inside the house and notices Kris dressed up to go out. Turns out she's going to a Rick Ross concert with Diddy!

After being teased by Kim for not acting her age, Kris defends herself and refers to Kim as Debbie Downer for her negative remarks.

Kim comes back at her mom with this:

Scott is planning to buy a sports car for Kourtney and invites Khloé to help him pick it out.
While looking at cars together, Scott tells Khloé that he is planning to go back to the retreat in Arizona that he went to with Kourtney because he is having a hard time dealing with some things in his life and he wants to get in touch with his emotions. He also wishes that Kourtney would open up to him a bit more because he really needs someone to be there for him.
Scott decides on this white Ferrari as a gift for Kourtney! Talk about generous!

Khloé meets up with Kris and Kim for lunch and immediately notices that her mom is all decked out in Gucci and large earrings. She can't resist cracking a joke:

While Kris and Kim take turns showing off their outfits and figures, Khloé points out that they are having a "MILF-off."

Back at home, Khloé tells Kim that the house she and Lamar shared is already in escrow and there is so much that has to be done in such little time.
Khloé is extremely overwhelmed by all of the tasks, which include putting Lamar's items into storage. It's obvious that she isn't completely ready to part with the house yet...
Meanwhile, Scott surprises Kourtney with the Ferrari that he bought for her. But when he takes her into the garage, this is her reaction:

Scott is frustrated by Kourtney's lack of excitement and inability to express her emotions, which makes it hard for him to figure out how she even feels.

Kim and her friend Larsa Pippen are practicing twerking in the kitchen when Larsa suggests that they attend a pole dancing class together.

Kris overhears them talking and mentions that she wants to go too. Larsa invites Kris to join, much to Kim's dismay!
Once they get to class, their instructor starts off with some breathing exercises...

...then Kim hits the pole!

Look at that finishing move!

Kris is a natural pro!

Kim still isn't fully convinced though...

While packing up the house, Khloé gets into an argument with her BFF Malika and Kourtney, whom she feels are pushing her to rush through the moving process. This is definitely not a smooth transition...

While at lunch the next day, Khloé tells Kourtney that she's emotionless and points out how Scott has been bummed out and needs to be cheered up. Kourtney admits that she has a hard time getting in touch with her feelings and decides to do something about it.
Back at the house, the sisters are shocked when they walk in on Kris in the middle of a personal photo shoot in a very revealing "bathing suit!"

This is the initial reaction:

Tired of being made fun of, an angry Kris storms into the house. Kim feels bad and follows her mom inside to apologize.
Kris explains that she just wants to encourage women of any age to feel sexy and be able to do whatever they want. Kim then says that she got all of her "milfness" from her mom.
The two take a selfie together and make up!

Kourtney meets with Tejpal, a coach and healing practitioner, because she's decided that she is ready to get to the root of her emotional issues.

As they talk, Tejpal points out that Kourtney isn't emotionless. Rather, she is a deep thinker who spends most of her time assessing situations as opposed to reacting to them.
Then Kourtney unexpectedly opens up...

Kourtney confesses that she has been so busy lately and never gets any time to herself, which makes her feel like she's on the verge of exploding at times.
Tejpal advises Kourtney to take some time for herself so that she can have some peace and simplicity in her life, which in turn will make her happier. After a quick energy cleansing ritual, Kourtney already feels much better
Kris, Kim and Bruce Jenner surprise Khloé by showing up at her house to help with moving.

Khloé ends up frustrated with everyone because they're not doing things according to the way that she likes and she's starting to feel even more disorganized than before.
Fed up, Khloé insists that everyone leave because she isn't ready to deal with moving out.

Kourtney sits down with Scott and says that she would like to do more for him on an emotional level and promises to listen to him more. Scott tells Kourtney that he loves her and is thankful that she is trying to work on her issue for their relationship.

Then Kourtney makes the announcement that will change their lives forever: She's pregnant with their third child!

Jennifer Lopez is back on the market.

Jennifer Lopez Breaks Up With Boyfriend Casper Smart.

 

Jennifer Lopez is back on the market.
The pop star and Beau "Casper" Smart have broken up after about three and a half years of dating, E! News confirms. "They were hoping to be more low key about things," says a source of their split. "He was slowly going to move out and that would be it." A rep for Lopez declined to comment.
The "First Love" singer met the dancer-choreographer not long after she and husband Marc Anthony split up in the summer of 2011 and Smart quickly became a fixture on the J.Lo circuit, escorting her to red carpet events—most recently at the Billboard Music Awards on May 18—and logging quality time with her and her children.
But while the platinum-selling artist and American Idol judge seemed to enjoy being with Smart, she never gave any indication that he might become husband No. 4.
"I'm one of those people who does not like to be alone," Lopez, 44, said at Idol's Winter TCA panel in January. "I have no shame saying that at this point in my life. I think we have to own who we are."
Asked if she planned on getting married again, she said, "I don't know, I don't know, we'll see. I always believed in that institution. My parents were married for a very long time, for 35 years. I believe in it. It's difficult. I've had my challenges but at the same time I believe in love. That's the main thing."
Then again, she also said that Smart was "fantastic" with her and Anthony's twins, Max and Emme, and was a positive creative force in her life.

RMBI SWIS/AKM-GSI

"I don't like the word father figure," she mused, but "he's fantastic with the kids and he helps me very much with my work. It was his idea, he knew I had the idea to do 'Same Girl,' and go shoot that in the Bronx and he was like, 'When are we going to be in New York again? Come on I'll do it with you, let's go do it. Let's put that dream down for you.' And he basically produced it with me, so he's fantastic in that way."
We heard talk of trouble behind the scenes back in October, with a source telling E! News, ""Things are not going well at the moment," the insider says. "They are bickering and it's clear to the people around them that there is an irritation between them at the moment. It's hot and cold, but more cold than hot right now."
"He is certainly not the big love of her life—she knows that, he knows that," the source added. "If this relationship lasts it will be surprising to everyone."

Miley Cyrus' Maserati, Jewelry Theft Case: Thieves Arrested and Identities Revealed.

 

Thieves arrested and identified following Cryus' theft case. Credit: Lester Cohen/WireImage

Better luck next time! Two people were arrested for residential burglary on Thursday, June 5, following Miley Cyrus' recent home burglary.
A spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department tells Us Weekly exclusively: "A female and a male were arrested today in relation to this theft case. They are a 21 year old female, Naomi Charles, an LA resident, and Tylor Scott, a 19-year-old male, who is an Arizona resident."
"Both have been arrested for residential burglary and they are being held on a $50,000 bail," the spokesperson said, "They are still currently detained. They were taken into custody this morning around 11 a.m. in the city of North Hollywood in the 5300 block of Lankershim. They were identified by video surveillance and that’s how they were taken into custody."
The "Wrecking Ball" singer's brand new $135,000 Maserati was stolen from her home, along with jewelry, on Friday, May 30. Cyrus' luxury vehicle was later recovered after it was spotted on a street in Simi Valley, Calif., on June 2.
Authorities previously told Us that a male and a female scaled a fence around 4 p.m. in the afternoon to enter the property on May 30. The "We Can't Stop" singer was not at home at the time of the intrusion and was in Sweden performing on her Bangerz tour.
"The suspects were able to gain access into the residence and garage," the police said in a statement. "They removed property including jewelry and a 2014 White, 4-door, Maserati Quattroporte. No one was home at the time of the burglary."
The incident marks the second time the 21-year-old has been the victim of a household burglary. In November 2013, one day before her 21st birthday, thieves also entered the singer's home.
At the time, a source told Us, "She's extremely upset and a lot of personal items were stolen. She's really shaken up about the whole thing.

Israel announces new settlement expansion.

Minister says 1,500 new homes in West Bank and East Jerusalem are "Zionist response" to Palestinian unity government.

The majority of the homes will be in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, with 400 in East Jerusalem.

Israel has announced plans to build 1,500 new settlement homes in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem in response to the formation of a Palestinian unity government. The announcement on Wednesday came two days after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas swore in a technocratic government, which is supported by Hamas, a move bitterly opposed by the Israeli government. The majority of the homes will be in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, with 400 in East Jerusalem, the online edition of the the Haaretz newspaper reported. "I congratulate the decision to give a proper Zionist response to the establishment of the Palestinian terror cabinet," the paper quoted Israeli Housing Minister Uri Ariel as saying. "The right and duty of the state of Israel to build across the country to lower the housing prices is unquestionable," said the minister, who is a member of the far-right Jewish Home Party, adding that the plans were "just the beginning". The move to expand settlements in occupied land has been condemened by senior Palestinian figures, who see the expansions as a major obstacle to the decades-old conflict. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat called the settlement announcement "a clear sign that Israel is moving toward a major escalation", the AP news agency reported. The move was also condemned by Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni who told Israeli Army Radio that constructing new homes would be a "political mistake" that would make it difficult to "recruit the world against Hamas". The announcement came amid anger in Israel at the US and the European Union for agreeing to work with the new Palestinian government, which merges the administration of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, has urged the world to reject the Palestinian unity government, saying Hamas is a "terrorist" group bent on the destruction of his country. The US Secretary of State John Kerry said the move would not contradict Washington's policy of not dealing with Hamas as members of the government have no direct ties to the movement. The new Palestinian unity government is aimed at ending years of dispute between the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and the Fatah-controlled administration in the West Bank. One of the new government's main objectives is organising elections in Gaza and the West Bank by the end of the year. The Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah has called for international pressure on Israel to allow Palestinians in the occupied East Jerusalem vote in the elections. Hamdallah told visiting foreign dignitaries that "the new government will not be able to guarantee a free and democratic elections without East Jerusalem," the AFP news agency reported. Israel has come under international criticism, including from the US, over its illegal construction policy in the occupied territories, which it seized in the 1967 war.