All Bodies Recovered from Tragic Plane Crash in Washington D.C.

In a recent statement, US President Donald Trump declared he has instructed advisers to "obliterate" Iran should he be assassinated by the Tehran regime. Speaking on February 5, 2025, Trump emphasized that any such action would result in "nothing left" of Iran and labeled it a "terrible thing for them to do" during the signing of an executive order aimed at intensifying economic pressure on Iran. This order directs the US Treasury to enforce strict sanctions, aiming to reduce Iranian oil exports to zero, in light of prior allegations that Iran attempted to plot against Trump. According to the US Justice Department, a foiled Iranian scheme last year involved orders to surveil and eliminate Trump. Trump's current policy follows his withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018 and reflects his stance that Iran must not develop nuclear weapons. He accused President Biden of failing to rigorously enforce oil export sanctions during his presidency, which he claims allowed Iran to fund militant groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. Trump conveyed a desire to negotiate better relations with Iran, but made it clear that he would not allow their pursuit of nuclear arms.

In a controversial announcement, US President Donald Trump declared plans for the United States to "take over" the Gaza Strip during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 5, 2025. Trump suggested that the US would oversee the region and that Palestinians could be permanently resettled in neighboring Arab countries such as Jordan and Egypt. Trump described Gaza as a "demolition site" and highlighted his vision of transforming it into a "Riviera of the Middle East." He mentioned the need for US involvement in clearing unexploded ordnance and revitalizing the area, though he provided few specifics on the implementation of his proposal. He expressed confidence that this plan would garner support from regional leaders, claiming they favor US ownership of Gaza. The proposal has drawn widespread condemnation, with critics likening it to ethnic cleansing and violating international law. Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri called the plan "expulsion from their land." The response from the international community remains uncertain in light of longstanding tensions in the region.

Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company, has altered its artificial intelligence (AI) principles, removing commitments to refrain from using AI for military and surveillance purposes. In a blog post, senior vice president James Manyika and Google DeepMind's Demis Hassabis noted that cooperation between businesses and democratic governments is essential for developing AI that "supports national security." This modification comes amid a growing debate about the governance of AI and its potential implications in warfare and surveillance. According to the blog, the original AI principles established in 2018 have become outdated as the technology has been widely adopted, stating, "AI has become a general-purpose technology." Despite reporting a weaker-than-expected financial performance, Google plans to invest $75 billion in AI projects in 2024, 29% above analyst expectations. The company aims to enhance its AI infrastructure and expand applications including AI-powered search features. This shift reflects both changing geopolitical dynamics and a response to competitive pressures in the technology sector.