$20,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000

Hi Global Recap readers,

I am sure you were baffled by the dollar amount you saw in the title. That’s not a made-up figure. It’s real, and Russia just issued a fine of that amount.

💰 To be precise, it is $20 decillion. Honestly, I didn’t even know decillion was a number, but here we are.

But before we talk about that, let’s talk about this profusely sweating Hezbollah terrorist, who is supposedly in hiding now.

(Also, talking about terrorists, we’ve got another poll running. I am curious to find out whether you think a joke can be considered so insensitive that it warrants being banned from a TV network.)

🇱🇧 LEBANON
Hezbollah Names New Leader

Do you know what one of the most dangerous jobs in the world is?

It’s probably being a leader of Hezbollah. I mean, they have a reputation for not sticking around for long.

Well, it really sucks to be Naim Qassem right now, because Hezbollah just named him its new leader.

Did Qassem even accept the role, or was the baton just handed to him against his will?

The Appointment

• Qassem, 71, was appointed by Hezbollah's Shura Council.

• He has been Hezbollah's deputy chief since 1991.

• He is also the one that was sweating profusely in one of his videos threatening Israel. 😂

Israel's Reaction

Israel isn’t expecting Qassem’s leadership to last.

• Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant even referred to Qassem’s appointment as “temporary.”

• Israel has previously eliminated key Hezbollah figures, including Nasrallah and senior leader Hashem Safieddine.

Qassem's Background

Qassem has been a prominent figure in Hezbollah for decades.

• He was appointed deputy chief by Abbas al-Musawi, who was killed by Israel in 1992.

• Since then, Qassem has served as a leading spokesman, particularly during recent clashes with Israel.

Rumors

But some reports suggest that Qassem is currently hiding in Iran. At this point, I wonder—did Hezbollah appoint him as leader even though he isn’t in Lebanon because no one else wants the position?

• Also, with Israel’s recent attack on Iran, which reportedly devastated Iran’s aerial defense capabilities, is Qassem truly safe there (assuming he’s actually in Iran)?”

🇷🇺 RUSSIA
Google Fined $20 Decillion

A Russian court has slapped Google with an unbelievable $20 decillion fine for blocking content from Russian media outlets.

Yes, you read that right—$20 decillion. For perspective, the World Bank pegs global GDP around $100 trillion, which is practically pocket change next to this fine.

The Fine

• The fine arises from a four-year legal battle.

• It began after YouTube banned the ultra-nationalist Russian channel Tsargrad in 2020.

The Context

This staggering amount is due to compounded penalties.

• Initially, the court imposed a daily fine of 100,000 rubles ($1,025).

• The fine doubles every week due to compound interest.

The Channels

Seventeen Russian media outlets are suing Google.

• This includes Zvezda, a TV network owned by Russia’s Ministry of Defense.

• The lawsuits escalated after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The Legal Standpoint

Google has been held to administrative liability.

• The court ordered Google to reinstate the banned channels.

• Lawyer Ivan Morozov cited Art. 13.41 of the Administrative Offenses Code as the basis for the fine.

The Implications

Google’s ability to pay this fine is essentially nonexistent.

• Not even CEO Sundar Pichai digging through the company’s couch cushions would make a dent.

• The fine is widely viewed as a symbolic act rather than a realistic expectation. But still, this is ludicrous.

🇷🇺 RUSSIA
Russian Soldiers Complain About North Koreans

Putin wanted more troops, so he got the North Koreans involved.

But are his soldiers happy to have them?

Here’s what we know: Ukraine’s intelligence has intercepted calls revealing tension as Russia tries to integrate North Korean units into its military. The calls show Russian soldiers questioning the effectiveness of these new units and whether they have adequate weapons or commanders.

The Intercepted Calls

• Interceptions came from soldiers in the Kursk region, near Ukraine’s northern border.

• Russian troops expressed doubts about having enough leadership or equipment for the added units.

The Complaints

Russian soldiers voiced frustration over challenges with integration.

• One soldier was “outraged” by a commander’s decision to give Russian armored vehicles to North Korean forces.

• Another pointed out the lack of translators, saying, “We’re all acting as translators now.” Surely, this was something Putin could have foreseen.

The Numbers

The Pentagon has updated its estimate on North Korean forces in Russia.

• Around 10,000 North Korean troops are stationed at military posts in Russia’s eastern region.

• This is up from last week’s estimate of 3,000 troops.

The Diplomatic Angle

Ukraine and South Korea are strengthening ties in response.

• Ukrainian President Zelenskyy recently met with South Korean President Yoon to share intelligence.

• Meanwhile, North Korea’s foreign minister is making his second visit to Russia in just six weeks.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
CNN Bans Pro-Trump Commentator for “Beeper” Joke

A conservative pundit was banned from CNN after making an “insensitive joke” about a Muslim journalist during a heated panel discussion.

The Incident

Conservative commentator Ryan Girdusky made a controversial remark to fellow panelist Mehdi Hasan on "CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip."

• Girdusky said he "hoped Hasan's beeper doesn't go off" after Hasan expressed support for Palestinians.

• Hasan, a British-American journalist, was shocked and asked if Girdusky was implying he should be killed.

• The panel erupted in outrage, calling Girdusky's comment "racist" and "disgusting."

Context

If you aren’t aware, the beeper joke refers to Israel’s targeted attack on Hezbollah terrorists who used beepers to communicate, fearing that more advanced devices could be hacked by Israel.

• However, Israel was already a step ahead, planting trace amounts of explosive chemicals inside the beepers to be detonated at a later date—September 17.

CNN's Response

CNN quickly condemned Girdusky's remarks and banned him from the network.

• The network said there is "zero room for racism or bigotry" and that they aim to "foster thoughtful conversation."

• They stated that Girdusky "will not be welcomed back" due to crossing the "line of civility."

Girdusky's Reaction

Girdusky, who has written for conservative publications, took to social media to slam CNN.

• He claimed you can stay on CNN if you "falsely call every Republican a Nazi" but can't make a "joke."

• Girdusky accused the network of double standards, saying he's glad "America gets to see what CNN stands for."

Hasan's Background

Mehdi Hasan is a British-American journalist who has contributed to left-leaning outlets like Al Jazeera and MSNBC.

• He has previously faced accusations of plagiarism and making controversial comments about non-Muslims and atheists.

• Hasan was born in the UK to Indian immigrant parents and is a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause.

📊 Poll