Assassination on Camera

Hi Global Recap readers,

In contrast to the recent unsuccessful attempt on the life of Slovakia’s PM, a recent assassination attempt on a Mexican mayoral candidate tragically succeeded.

Even more disturbing is the fact that this horrific act was caught on camera. 👇

ALSO: We have another live poll on a contentious issue. Although there are hundreds of comments from you, I do read all of them and respond to as many as I can.

I don’t know how some of you are so bitterly witty. 🙂

🇲🇽 Mexico
Candidate Assassinated

Mexico’s electoral campaign concluded with a horrifying tally: 23 candidates murdered.

This violence shows the challenges the incoming president will face, including rampant cartel violence and strained US relations.

🔘 Tragedy: Alfredo Cabrera, a mayoral candidate, was fatally shot at a rally in Guerrero. His death, captured on camera, adds to the alarming number of political aspirants killed during this election season.

• He was the 23rd candidate to be assassinated before an election in the country.

🔘 Response: Presidential candidate Xochitl Galvez and the opposition coalition condemned the government’s failure to protect candidates.

• The Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) echoes this sentiment, criticizing the lack of security measures.

🔘 Election Day: As Mexico prepares to vote, the focus is on the frontrunner Claudia Sheinbaum, who pledges to continue the current president’s policies.

• Her opponent, Galvez, promises a firmer stance on crime, criticizing the “hugs not bullets” approach.

• Over 450,000 homicides since 2006 highlight the urgency for change.

• Nearly 100 million Mexicans are set to vote amidst heightened security concerns.

• The election could see the country’s first female president, marking a historic moment.

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🇨🇳 China
Xi Jinping Sides with Gazans

Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s speech at the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum highlighted the need for a peaceful resolution to the Middle East conflicts, emphasizing China’s role in fostering international cooperation.

It seems like he is trying really hard to be viewed as the next global leader, in place of US presidents.

🔘 Crisis: Xi Jinping addressed the “tremendous sufferings” in the Middle East, particularly the escalated Israel-Hamas conflict, advocating for an end to the war and the absence of justice.

🔘 Stance: China aligns with the Arab world and the Global South, proposing a “more broad-based, authoritative and effective international peace conference” and supporting the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

🔘 Diplomacy: The forum, attended by leaders and diplomats from 22 Arab states, aims to deepen cooperation and present a unified stance on the Palestinian question, with China pledging significant financial aid for Gaza’s humanitarian crisis and reconstruction.

• Xi’s call for a new era in China-Arab relations is seen as a model for global peace and stability.

• China’s diplomatic efforts contrast with the US’s long-standing influence in the region, positioning Beijing as an alternative global security model.

• Despite its growing ties in the Middle East, China’s regional influence is still considered limited, and it has not explicitly condemned Hamas for the attacks that escalated the conflict.

Thoughts

But the question is… is Xi qualified to talk about justice when he is persecuting Uyghurs in China? Also, most Uyghurs are Muslims. The irony…

Also, this may be a bit unrelated, but the Supreme Leader of Iran, Khamenei, recently posted the following posts on X, addressing the left-wing college protestors objecting to Israeli violence in Gaza.

Regardless of what your stance is on this issue, something just doesn’t sit right.

That said, I lean towards option B. 👆

For example, concealing the Communist Manifesto serves no purpose. It’s better to let individuals read it and form their own opinions about how impractical and terrible communism is, in practice.

What do you think?

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🇮🇱 Israel
ICC Sanctions Tug-of-War

🔘 Reversal: The White House has reversed its previous indication of support for sanctions against the ICC, which is seeking the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others. Could this be because of the upcoming election?

• Initially, Secretary of State Antony Blinken signaled potential sanctions.

• Now, the administration opposes the Republican-led sanctions bill.

🔘 Disappointment: Netanyahu expressed his surprise and disappointment at the US administration’s shift in position.

• He was under the impression that the US would back the sanctions bill.

• The change signifies a rift between Israeli and American leadership.

🔘 Response: The US is deliberating on how to address the ICC’s actions without resorting to sanctions.

• The Trump administration sanctioned the ICC prosecutor for investigating alleged war crimes by American troops in Afghanistan and Israelis in Palestinian territories. The Biden administration lifted these sanctions in 2021, calling them “inappropriate and ineffective.”

• Current US officials are seeking other options to counter the ICC’s “overreach.”

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🧑🏻‍💻 AI
Covert AI Campaign Busted

OpenAI’s report reveals covert campaigns by various nations using AI to manipulate public opinion, revealing the geopolitical misuse of technology.

Well, not so covert, since they were revealed.

🔘 Exposure: OpenAI identified five deceptive online campaigns.

• State actors and private companies from Russia, China, Iran, and Israel were involved.

• They utilized AI to generate social media posts and articles, aiming to influence political campaigns and public opinion.

🔘 Techniques: The campaigns employed various AI-driven strategies.

• The Russian campaign “Doppelganger” generated anti-Ukraine comments in multiple languages.

• “Spamouflage,” attributed to China, used AI to create disparaging social media posts against government critics.

🔘 Impact: Despite the sophisticated use of AI, the campaigns struggled to gain traction.

• OpenAI’s tools did not significantly expand the reach or impact of these operations.

• The report suggests that AI has not yet led to a flood of convincing disinformation as feared.

Here’s the full report for reference.

This shows 2 crucial things:

• AI is yet ineffective at generating highly engaging social media content.

• OpenAI is keeping a close eye on what you write.

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🇭🇰 Hong Kong
Strangling Freedom

In a landmark ruling, a Hong Kong court convicted 14 pro-democracy activists, showcasing the city’s largest national security case to date.

🔘 Verdicts: The court’s decision reflects Beijing’s tightening grip on Hong Kong, convicting prominent figures like former lawmakers Leung Kwok-hung and Helena Wong.

• The verdicts could lead to life sentences.

🔘 Acquittals: Amidst the convictions, former district councilors Lee Yue-shun and Lawrence Lau were acquitted, a glimmer of judicial discretion in a broadly condemned legal crackdown.

🔘 Implications: This case reveals the stifling of political disagreement in Hong Kong, with the national security law effectively silencing opposition.

• The law has led to widespread arrests and self-exile among activists, fundamentally altering Hong Kong’s sociopolitical landscape.

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🎬 YouTube Basics Cohort
How To Start & Grow Your Channel

YouTube is growing every day.

In fact, more people are watching YouTube instead of TV now. If this isn’t the perfect time to start your own channel, I don’t know what is.

You may have already started or tried running your own channel, but you may have been discouraged by:

• Little to no views

• No monetization

• A lack of content ideas

Here’s how we can help.

🚀 Cohort: Unlike typical courses with low completion rates, our community-style academy boasts a 96% completion rate. We believe in learning by doing, not just listening.

🎥 Expert Guidance: Learn from seasoned YouTubers who have mastered the art of captivating millions. Our live Q&A sessions and discussions are your gateway to insider knowledge and hands-on practice.

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📈 Real Results: We’re not just about views; we’re about sustainable channel growth. We will support you every step of the way on your journey to thrive as a creator.

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