Trump's Push to End Birthright Citizenship Faces Legal Hurdles Amid Global Debate

U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled a contentious proposal to take control of the Gaza Strip, aiming to transform the war-torn area into “the Riviera of the Middle East.” While addressing reporters on February 10, 2025, he expressed his commitment to "buying and owning" Gaza, suggesting that other Middle Eastern nations might be invited to assist in rebuilding efforts, according to statements made on Air Force One. The plan quickly drew criticism from international leaders. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated support for Trump’s approach, vowing to expedite the emigration of Gaza residents. However, Hamas leader Ezzat El Rashq condemned the president's remarks, declaring that “Gaza is not a property to be sold and bought,” framing the proposal as a continuation of displacement efforts that evoke painful historical memories for Palestinians. Countries including Saudi Arabia and Jordan have also voiced strong opposition, with Jordan's King Abdullah labeling the concept a “recipe for radicalism.” The situation remains fluid, with Trump stating he may consider troop deployment to support the plan, though he did not commit to sending U.S. military forces.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) for allegedly targeting the United States and its allies, including Israel. According to a White House official, an executive order will be signed on Thursday that will institute financial and visa sanctions against individuals and their families who assist in ICC investigations involving U.S. citizens or allies. This move underscores ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the ICC, which has been scrutinizing actions taken by U.S. forces in conflict zones. Official support for Israel and its operations in disputed territories further complicates U.S.-ICC relations. The sanctions are part of a broader strategy to protect American personnel overseas from perceived legal overreach. The announcement comes as many experts view the ICC's actions as a challenge to U.S. sovereignty, with Trump stating that such measures are necessary to uphold national interests. The formalization of these sanctions is expected to escalate diplomatic tensions with institutions that the U.S. has historically critiqued.

WhatsApp has accused Paragon Solutions, an Israeli spyware firm, of breaching the privacy of 90 users, including journalists and activists, last year. The allegations emerged shortly after WhatsApp's legal victory over NSO Group, another Israeli company known for its powerful hacking tools. According to WhatsApp, the targeted individuals included Italian journalist Francesco Cancellato, NGO founder Luca Casarini, and Libyan activist Husam El Gomati. Researchers at the Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto plan to release a report detailing the breaches. Paragon Solutions’ spyware, Graphite, can reportedly access mobile phone data without user knowledge, raising alarms regarding its use by government clients globally. The firm maintains a "zero-tolerance policy" for illicit targeting and recently terminated its contract with Italy following these revelations. This incident underscores growing concerns about the potential misuse of spyware, especially in the United States, where Paragon had reportedly signed a $2 million contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, later paused amid scrutiny.