Trump to Sanction International Criminal Court Over U.S. Investigations

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.

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.

A recent study has identified shared genetic variants among eight psychiatric disorders, suggesting a potential unified approach to treatment. Researchers from the University of North Carolina discovered that conditions including autism, ADHD, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, Tourette syndrome, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anorexia share a common genetic basis. This revelation builds on previous findings where 109 genes linked to these conditions were identified, demonstrating why many exhibit overlapping symptoms. "The proteins produced by these genes are highly connected to other proteins," stated geneticist Hyejung Won, emphasizing that alterations in these proteins could lead to extensive brain effects. The team analyzed nearly 18,000 genetic variations, identifying 683 variants affecting gene regulation during brain development, raising hopes that understanding these genetic components will foster targeted therapeutic strategies. This research, published in the journal *Cell*, underscores that approximately 1 in 8 individuals live with a psychiatric condition, highlighting the significance of developing effective interventions targeting shared genetic factors.