AI Biden

Hi Global Recap readers,

Alright guys, as we approach the US presidential election in November, the tinfoil’s calling is getting stronger by the day.

Is it really just a tinfoil, or is it legit? You decide. 👇

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Conspiracy Thickens

Since President Biden's exit from the presidential race, people have been questioning whether he is even alive.

You might consider this fear to be overblown, but it underscores the deep level of distrust the American people have in their government.

Remember: these are theories.

Biden Calls In

To dispel rumors of his death or terminal illness, President Joe Biden made a surprise call to his campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, on Monday. During the call, he publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris and reiterated that he is “not going anywhere.”

• He publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris during this conversation.

• He also reiterated that he is “not going anywhere.”

Freudian Slip Theories

At this point, people listening to the call had two main theories:

• The call was pre-recorded.

• The voice was AI-generated.

Theory #1
“The call was pre-recorded”

[0:17] Kamala Harris, speaking after the president, tried to say something heartwarming about Biden but ended up with what seemed like a Freudian slip:

• Did you catch that? She stopped herself from saying “recording,” before correcting herself to say “call.”

• This led many online to speculate that the call was actually a recording.

• However, what seems to disprove this theory is that Biden later commented on Harris's remark when she said, “We love Joe and Jill.” by responding, “It’s mutual.”

So this leads to theory #2.

Theory #2
“The voice was AI-generated”

People have pointed out that the inflections in Biden’s voice, his vocabulary, and the unnatural fluency with which he spoke were suspicious.

• If true, this would explain how Biden was able to converse with Harris.

Thoughts

These speculations need to be taken with a HUGE grain of salt. There are many other wild theories I didn’t detail here, such as reports that Biden is currently fighting for his life. This, of course, doesn’t mean you should discard all of them.

• Regarding the rec-, I mean call, I believe it was a well reseted Biden talking.

• This is because Biden said he would address the nation tomorrow at 8pm ET about his exit from the presidential race.

• He was also seen live here, departing Delaware for the White House.

• Note: when these theories were circulating, we didn’t have the live footage of him leaving Delaware, nor did know about tomorrow’s address.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Secret Service Director Resigns

Kimberly Cheatle, the US Secret Service Director, has resigned after being humiliated at Monday’s hearing on the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

It seemed like she was going to cling to her position, but the pressure was evidently too much.

Resignation Announcement

Cheatle announced her resignation in an email to Secret Service employees, taking full responsibility for the security lapse.

• The resignation follows intense scrutiny after the July 13 shooting at a Trump rally.

• Cheatle acknowledged the agency’s failure in her email, stating, “The buck stops with me.”

Congressional Hearing

Cheatle testified before the House Oversight Committee, calling the incident the “most significant operational failure” in decades.

• She failed to submit any of the documents requested by the committee, evaded questions, and was even sworn at.

• Both Republicans and Democrats called for her resignation during the hearing - truly a rare moment of unity.

• She even told the lawmakers that she is the "best person to lead the Secret Service at this time," despite previously saying that the buck stops with her.

• When asked by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene if she had a timeline of the event, she infamously replied, “I have a timeline that does not have specifics” - prompting laughter from those present at the hearing.

Highlights of the hearing:

🇭🇺 HUNGARY
EU Strips Hungary’s Hosting Rights

The EU has revoked Hungary’s right to host a key ministerial meeting due to Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s controversial “peace missions” to Moscow and Beijing, which supposedly undermined the EU’s support of Ukraine.

EU’s Decision

• Hungary was scheduled to host the Gymnich meeting in late August, as it currently holds the rotating EU presidency.

• The meeting will now be held in Brussels in September.

• EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell emphasized the need to send a symbolic signal.

Hungary’s Reaction

Hungary criticized the EU’s decision, calling it childish and mocking.

• Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto likened the debate to a kindergarten-level argument.

EU’s Concerns

Several EU member states are worried about Hungary’s close ties with Russia.

• Hungary has blocked EU sanctions on Russia and weapons funding for Ukraine.

• Orban’s “peace missions” are seen as undermining the EU’s efforts to isolate Russia.

• However, Orban sees the peace missions as efforts to ensure peace between Russia and Ukraine without prolonging the war, which continuously claims the lives of citizens from both nations, regardless of who is at fault.

Thoughts

Of course, there is nothing wrong with protesting the viewpoints of a fellow EU member nation. However, the EU has a clear rule for a rotating presidency, and now it is Hungary’s turn.

• What is the point of such a rule if, whenever an EU president nation does not adhere to your beliefs, you do everything in your power to incapacitate that nation?

• Isn’t the rule meant to allow a variety of views and approaches to exist, preventing a single-consensus-driven political machine from ruling like an autocratic regime?

• However, one could argue that this approach ensures the EU is governed smoothly without outlier views disrupting the unified mission of the majority.

Something to think about.

🇧🇩 BANGLADESH
No Job Quotas, Yes Merits

After mass riots by the people and responding by cutting internet services and imposing a curfew, the Bangladeshi government is set to accept a court ruling to cut most government job quotas.

Protests and Violence

• The protests erupted due to dissatisfaction with job quotas that mandate a significant portion of civil service jobs for various groups, such as family members of veterans from the country's independence war, women, minorities, and people with disabilities.

• The job quota system was first introduced in 1972, scrapped in 2018 as it blocked 56% of state jobs at the time, and reintroduced in 2024.

• This led to one of the deadliest outbreaks of violence in years.

• Almost 150 people have been killed, and over 1,600 arrested in Dhaka and Chittagong.

Court Ruling

• The Supreme Court ruled in favor of an appeal from the government, directing that 93% of jobs should be open to candidates on merit.

• This leaves 5% for the descendants of veterans and 2% for people from ethnic minorities or with disabilities.

Student Demands

• Protesters have given the government 48 hours to meet eight new demands, including a public apology from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the reopening of university campuses.

🇵🇸 PALESTINE
Beijing Declaration

14 Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Fatah, have agreed to form a national unity government after talks in China.

This historic agreement, known as the Beijing Declaration, aims to end 17 years of division and manage Palestinian affairs more effectively.

Unity Government

• The Beijing Declaration was signed after reconciliation talks in China from July 21-23.

• The agreement aims to end 17 years of division between Hamas and Fatah.

• The unity government will manage Gaza and the West Bank, oversee reconstruction, and prepare for elections.

China’s Diplomatic Coup

China’s role in brokering the deal marks a significant diplomatic achievement.

• The agreement is seen as a boost for China’s influence in the Middle East.

• China previously brokered a peace deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

• Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the importance of Palestinian independence.

• This significantly undermines the US and the West’s standing in the region.

Israel’s Opposition

Israel has dismissed the agreement, stating it will not allow Hamas to govern Gaza.

• Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu aims to destroy Hamas, believing that its continued existence makes another attack on Israeli soil inevitable.

  • In 2005, Israel withdrew its troops and even evicted its own citizens from Gaza to complete its withdrawal.

  • This eventually allowed Hamas to take control in 2007.

  • It seems Israel is determined not to take any chances this time.

• Israeli Foreign Minister Katz criticized Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas for aligning with Hamas.

Future Uncertainties

The success of the agreement remains uncertain amid ongoing conflicts and political challenges.

• Previous reconciliation efforts by Egypt and other Arab countries have failed.

• The agreement does not specify a timeframe for forming the new government.

• Hamas and Fatah have a history of failed reconciliation attempts.