Trump Proposes Takeover of Gaza, Possible Military Involvement

During a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Donald Trump suggested that the U.S. could take "long-term ownership" of the Gaza Strip, relocate its Palestinian population, and redevelop the area into a thriving economic hub. Trump did not rule out sending U.S. troops to enforce the plan, stating, "We’ll do what is necessary." The remarks come amid fragile ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, raising concerns that such proposals could disrupt diplomatic efforts. The comments were swiftly condemned by Saudi Arabia, Hamas, and other regional opposing forces, with Saudi officials reaffirming their commitment to Palestinian statehood. Trump expressed a desire to negotiate with Iran, despite signing an executive order increasing economic pressure on Tehran.

Notes: Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza in 2005 but has maintained a blockade alongside Egypt since Hamas took control in 2007. Roughly 1.8 million Palestinians live in Gaza.

Sources: Associated Press, Fox News

Trump Administration Puts USAID Workforce on Leave

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced that nearly all of its direct hire employees worldwide will be placed on administrative leave starting Friday, except for those deemed essential. The move follows pressure from President Trump and his administration, who have expressed intentions to restructure or dismantle the agency. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has taken control of USAID and appointed a new leader, Pete Marocco. The decision has sparked backlash from lawmakers on both sides, with critics arguing that Trump lacks the authority to abolish USAID without congressional approval. USAID, an independent agency since 1961, provides billions in humanitarian aid to over 100 countries. The sudden workforce reduction could disrupt global aid programs and shift geopolitical influence to rivals like China and Russia.

Source: NBC News

Pam Bondi Confirmed as U.S. Attorney General

The Senate confirmed Pam Bondi as U.S. attorney general in a 54-46 vote, with only one Democrat, Sen. John Fetterman, joining Republicans in support. Bondi, a former Florida attorney general and Trump ally, assumes control of a Justice Department that has seen recent purges of officials involved in investigations related to Trump. Bondi's confirmation follows the dismissal of multiple prosecutors and FBI personnel linked to cases against Trump, and comes as FBI agents sue the Justice Department over a list of those involved in Jan. 6 prosecutions.

Source: Associated Press

Sweden Reels from Worst Mass Shooting in Its History at Adult Education Center

At least 10 people, including the gunman, were killed in a mass shooting at Campus Risbergska, an adult education center in Örebro, Sweden. The attack, which took place Tuesday afternoon, is the deadliest mass shooting in Swedish history. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson condemned the violence, calling it "brutal" and stating that many questions about the motive and exact number of casualties remain unanswered. The gunman, who was among the deceased, acted alone and was not previously known to authorities. While officials have ruled out terrorism for now, a full investigation is underway. The tragedy has sent shockwaves across Sweden and Europe, with leaders expressing condolences and calling for unity.

Notes: Sweden has strict gun laws requiring a firearms license with background checks and training, bans on self-defense ownership, tight handgun restrictions, mandatory secure storage, limited ammunition sales, and prohibitions on fully automatic weapons. Mass shootings are extremely rare in the country.

Source: Associated Press

US Postal Service Halts Parcel Deliveries from China

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has temporarily suspended acceptance of parcels from mainland China and Hong Kong, although letters remain unaffected. USPS did not provide a reason for the suspension, which follows President Trump’s decision to impose a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports and eliminate the "de minimis" tax exemption for goods under $800. This loophole had allowed Chinese e-commerce firms like Shein and Temu to send products to U.S. customers without duties. The suspension comes as China plans retaliatory tariffs on U.S. coal, LNG, crude oil, and cars. U.S. officials noted that the exemption had facilitated a high volume of parcels from China, complicating efforts to screen for illegal items.

Notes: U.S. consumers may face delays or higher prices on Chinese goods from platforms like Shein and Temu.

Sources: BBC, USPS

Google's Cloud Growth Slows, Stock Drops 7%

Google parent Alphabet reported $96.5 billion in revenue for the fourth quarter, marking 12% growth, its slowest rate since 2023, as cloud-computing sales growth slowed. Google Cloud revenue rose 30.1% to $12 billion, down from 35% in the prior quarter, leading to a 7% drop in Alphabet’s stock price after-hours. CEO Sundar Pichai emphasized increased investments in AI data centers, with planned capital expenditures of $75 billion in 2025. Meanwhile, Google faces growing competition in AI from Chinese startup DeepSeek, an antitrust probe in China, and legal battles in the U.S. over its search and ad dominance. Additionally, the company updated its AI principles, removing prior commitments against developing AI for weapons.

Notes: Ongoing antitrust battles in the U.S. and China could impact Google's operations and future revenue streams. Google has not fully explained why cloud growth is slowing, beyond citing supply constraints.

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Judge Suggests Parts of Elon Musk's Lawsuit Against OpenAI Could Go to Trial

A federal judge in Oakland, California, indicated that parts of Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI may proceed to trial, requiring Musk to testify. The lawsuit seeks to block OpenAI’s transition from a nonprofit to a for-profit entity, which Musk claims violates the company’s founding mission to develop AI for humanity’s benefit rather than profit. OpenAI argues the restructuring is necessary to secure investment, including a reported $25 billion funding round. While Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has not ruled on Musk’s request for an immediate injunction, she suggested his legal team has yet to present sufficient evidence and may require an evidentiary hearing. OpenAI plans to seek dismissal of the lawsuit, arguing that Musk should compete in the marketplace rather than the courts.

Notes: Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 and invested over $44 million into the organization but left in 2018. He later launched AI rival xAI in 2023.

Source: Reuters