All Out War Warning

Hi Global Recap readers,

Do you remember Just Stop Oil?

They’re a band of British environmental activists known for their infuriating protest method - gluing themselves to art pieces.

Guess what? They’re back at it again. This time, their target was an ancient monument. 👇

🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Stonehenge Vandalism

The prehistoric monument Stonehenge was defaced by environmental activists, sparking widespread condemnation.

What drove them to target such a cherished site?

🔘 Protest: The group Just Stop Oil sprayed Stonehenge with orange paint, demanding the U.K. commit to phasing out fossil fuels by 2030.

• This act of vandalism was meant to highlight the government’s inaction on climate policy.

• The incident occurred just before the summer solstice, a time when Stonehenge typically celebrates the natural world.

🔘 Arrests: Bystanders attempted to stop the activists, resulting in the arrest of two individuals by the Wiltshire Police.

• The accused face charges for damaging the ancient monument.

• English Heritage, the site’s caretaker, expressed distress over the damage but confirmed Stonehenge remains open to visitors.

🔘 Response: What was Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s response?

• To be honest, I initially assumed this was a parody account. It was surprising to see him outright label them as disgraceful. Kudos to him for that. In my view, anyone who vandalizes a historical national monument is acting reprehensibly. They’ve crossed a line.

• His administration has delayed the ban on new gasoline vehicles and opposes new energy efficiency mandates.

• Just Stop Oil argues that the current climate policy is as static as the stones themselves, urging immediate action to combat global warming.

🇮🇱 Israel
Israel Warns of “All Out War”

The situation in Israel is heating up, and not in a good way.

We’re talking about a potential “all-out war” with Hezbollah, a serious warning that’s come straight from Israel’s foreign minister.

🔘 Warning: Israel’s top diplomat is sounding the alarm bells. Hezbollah’s got videos of Israeli military sites, and Israel is not taking it lightly. They seem to be on the brink of changing the game and hitting back hard.

• Hezbollah’s footage, which is still up for verification, seems to show missile storage and military warehouses.

• This implies that Israeli airspace has been compromised.

🔘 Conflict: Daily clashes between Israel and Hezbollah are turning into a dangerous game. If things don’t cool down, we might see a full-blown war.

• Israel is trying to get 80,000 people who have been displaced in the northern region near the Lebanese border due to rocket attacks. However, rockets are raining down, making it a tough call.

• Some Israeli officials think invading Lebanon might be the only way to stop the chaos and get people safely back to their homes.

🔘 Retaliation: Hezbollah’s not just sitting around. They’ve been firing back since October 8, the day after Hamas invaded Israel.

• And after Israel took out one of their top commanders, Taleb Abdullah, they’re out for revenge. It’s a tit-for-tat that’s getting too close for comfort.

🇰🇵 North Korea
Putin’s With Kim

For the first time in 24 years, Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting North Korea to have a meeting with its leader, Kim Jong Un.

🔘 Alliance: The two leaders have pledged mutual support in case of a military attack.

• This isn’t just any agreement; it’s a comprehensive strategic pact that’s sending a clear message to the West.

• They’re both under heavy Western sanctions and showing they’re not afraid to challenge the U.S.'s global leadership.

🔘 Military Implications: The partnership raises questions about potential military cooperation, including joint drills and nuclear deterrent extensions.

• With North Korea’s recent arms transfers to Russia and Moscow’s superior military technology, there’s growing concern over their military collaboration.

• The UN Security Council’s dynamics could shift, with North Korea gaining a powerful ally in Russia, which recently vetoed a resolution to renew independent monitoring of Pyongyang’s sanctions violations.

🔘 Diplomatic Dynamics: The visit also reflects North Korea’s reliance on Russia and is a reminder of Putin’s influence in some global regions. It comes amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula and increased military activities by North Korea.

• Kim Jong Un’s isolation is slightly mitigated by hosting Putin, a significant political win for the North Korean leader.

🔘 Ceremony: Putin’s welcome in Pyongyang was nothing short of lavish. With a grand ceremony, it’s clear that this meeting was about more than just signing papers; it was a display of camaraderie and shared goals.

And then, there was this embarrassing encounter:

🇾🇪 Yemen
Red Sea Crisis

The Red Sea is witnessing a severe maritime conflict involving Houthi rebels, with attacks on commercial vessels escalating tensions in the Middle East.

🔘 Attacks: The Houthi rebels have intensified their maritime assaults, sinking the MV Tutor, a Greek-owned coal carrier, after it was hit by a sea drone and an airborne projectile.

• This marks the second ship sunk by the Houthis since March.

• The Tutor was first targeted by a small boat and then by an “unknown airborne projectile,” leading to its eventual sinking.

🔘 Response: The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has condemned the Houthis for endangering lives unrelated to the Gaza conflict and has launched countermeasures against Houthi radars aiding the attacks.

• On Tuesday, CENTCOM announced that it destroyed eight Houthi uncrewed aerial systems in Yemen, and one uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) over the Gulf of Aden.

🇹🇩 Chad
Chad’s Ammunition Crisis

N’Djamena, the capital of Chad, experienced a terrifying night as a fire at a military ammunition depot set off a series of deadly explosions.

🔘 Explosions: A sudden fire at Chad’s military ammunition depot caused a chain reaction of blasts, shaking the city and sending artillery shells flying into residential areas.

• Witnesses reported at least one fatality and several injuries, with spent artillery shells landing in homes and streets.

• The explosion unfolded near Chad’s main international airport, which, fortunately, remained unscathed.

🔘 Aftermath: The incident left residents in shock, as they recounted the horror of their homes shaking and the sky alight with flames and explosions.

• “Loud blasts woke us up,” said Moustapha Adoum Mahamat, a local resident.

• Judging by the video, I think it’s safe to say that the explosion would have indeed been loud…

🔘 Response: Security forces quickly arrived at the scene, but the extent of the damage and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.

• This undoubtedly raises concerns about the safety of military storage facilities and the potential risks they pose to nearby communities.