Wanted by The Hague

Good morning, art lovers and skeptics alike!

Today's issue will have you questioning, laughing, and maybe even screaming at your screen. From bananas selling for millions to ICC arrest warrants for Israeli-Hamas conflict leaders, we've got what you need to know.

Grab your coffee, buckle up, and let’s dive into the stories that make the world spin—sometimes a little too wildly.

Here's everything you need to know today:

It's official: ICC arrest warrants have been issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas' military chief Mohammed Deif. The charges? War crimes and crimes against humanity during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

Both Netanyahu and Gallant have been accused of using starvation as a weapon of war. Deif, meanwhile, is charged with murder, torture, and hostage-taking. Unsurprisingly, Hamas applauds the warrants against its adversaries, though curiously quiet on Deif's charges. Israel denounces the move as "absurd" and "anti-Semitic."

It doesn't mean we'll see anyone handcuffed tomorrow. In the absence of American or Israeli recognition, the ICC is unable to enforce its warrants. However, the warrants complicate Netanyahu's and Gallant's international travel. France has signaled it will uphold ICC rules so that any visit could result in unexpected accommodations in The Hague.

In international justice, this is the first time a sitting leader of a major ally has faced such charges. The real question is, will this bring accountability or just add fuel to the fire?

Too Hot to Handle

Well, well, well—what a plot twist! The Trump pick for Attorney General, Matt Gaetz, has stepped aside, claiming the controversies have become a “distraction.” (Let’s be honest; it’s hard to focus on justice reform when everyone’s buzzing about ethics reports and Venmo receipts.)

The ever-loyal Trump ally pledged his loyalty to MAGA-world but admitted the confirmation process would fail. His scandal clouds—including allegations of sex trafficking, drug-fueled parties, and payments to women—were too heavy to ignore. Some Senate Republicans were ready to brake his nomination, citing "red flags" and "major distractions."

What’s next? Gaetz is out of Congress, but speculation persists about his future. Meanwhile, Trump tapped Pam Bondi, another loyal Floridian, to replace Gaetz. Bondi defended Trump fiercely during his impeachment trial. (Talk about staying in the family!)

Selling Chrome

Google has 99 problems, and Chrome is one of them. The Justice Department proposes selling Chrome to crack open Google's iron grip on online search. Yes, it's the same browser you're using to read this. DOJ claims Chrome is the ultimate gatekeeper, funneling billions of search queries to Google.

But wait, there’s more. The DOJ isn't just looking at Chrome—it's also keeping an eye on Android. If it doesn't divest its browser baby, the DOJ might demand a split with Google's mobile powerhouse. Talk about pressure.

Google, naturally, isn’t thrilled. The company calls the DOJ's plan "radical" and "damaging," insisting that it would harm innovation, security, and customers. We'll find out in April whether Chrome will stay in the family or become an independent company. Big Tech's future is on the line, either way.

Peel the Rich

It wouldn't be the art world without surprising us, but Maurizio Cattelan's "Comedian" has gone for a mind-blowing $6.2 million. No, that's not a typo.

Justin Sun, the cryptocurrency mogul who now boasts a certificate of authenticity, is the lucky (and wealthy) new owner. What does that mean? It's his exclusive right to tape a banana to his wall. In a bold statement, Sun proved that even high art is susceptible to snacking.

In the auction, bids climbed from $800,000 to over $5 million faster than you could say, “slip on a peel." Clearly in on the fun, the auctioneer joked, "Don't let it slip away!" the hammer fell at $6.2 million.

So, is it art? A meme? A giant middle finger to art snobs? Maybe it's all three. This banana is no joke, that's for sure. It's a $6.2 million cultural phenomenon.

💡 Core Wisdom

📸 Lens to Life

Shortlisted animal images for the 2024 Close-Up Photographer of the Year award.

🧮 Core Count: 1

Elvis Presley's number of television commercials.

🗓️ Flashback:

1926 - The Imperial Conference ends, granting autonomy to the British Commonwealth.

1963 - In Dallas, Texas, US President John F. Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald.

1995 - "Toy Story," the first feature-length computer-generated film, was released.

2005 - Angela Merkel becomes the first female Chancellor of Germany.

I'm glad we could get together here. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Fatih Taskiran