China’s Covid Cover-Up: The Shocking Truth

Hello, Global Recap readers! Is China wooing US tech giants to transfer AI technology to China? Why is Prigozhin reportedly playing hide-and-seek in windowless hotel rooms? Buckle up, we’re about to dive into today’s stories and uncover the answers to these burning questions! 🤿

Sweden
Sweden Burning Quran

🔥 Sweden’s Quran burning heats up again. When Sweden should be cautious leading up to the NATO summit in July, if they hope the appeal to Turkey in their NATO bid, Sweden has allowed yet another Quran burning to go ahead. Two men burned a Quran outside Stockholm’s central mosque during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha.

Will this kill Sweden’s chances of becoming a NATO member? Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson doesn’t think so. But seeing that the Quran burning incident that took place earlier this year in Stockholm has caused outrage in Muslim-majority Turkey, it is hard to believe that the recent incident would not affect Sweden’s NATO bid. Will it be any different this time?

China
China’s Covid Cover-Up: The Shocking Truth

🦠 China engineered coronavirus as a “bioweapon,” claims Wuhan Institute of Virology researcher. In an interview with human rights activist Jennifer Zeng, Chao Shao claims that his fellow researchers were assigned the responsibility of determining the most potent strain capable of infecting different species, including humans. Chao Shao further raises concerns about the disappearance of some colleagues during the 2019 Military World Games in Wuhan, suggesting a possible connection to the virus's spread.

🚨 Meanwhile, a leaked memo reveals that the CCP ordered its scientists to destroy all early coronavirus samples from their labs just two days after the world was first told about COVID. The destruction of early samples hampered efforts to trace the virus’ origin and whether it leaked from a lab in Wuhan. The translation of the “order” here.

China
CCP Looking for a Shortcut to AI?

🚀 China has set its target on becoming a leading AI power! According to the People’s Daily, the mouthpiece newspaper of the CCP, China is fully embracing the potentially transformative power of AI and is intensifying efforts to realize it.

CCP’s solution could involve looking for a shortcut. This includes poaching Western tech giants like Microsoft to bring their AI capabilities to their Beijing. This is convenient for Microsoft since they already operate a Beijing research lab. Xi Jinping did in fact tell Bill Gates during their meeting two weeks ago, that they welcome Microsoft to bring their “AI tech” to China.

Should Microsoft be doing this?

World
Top of the News World

💥 A Russian missile strike hits a restaurant in Ukraine killing at least 11 people including 3 children. A popular restaurant in the Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk was hit by a Russian missile on Tuesday evening. The restaurant was frequented by journalists, aid workers, and soldiers who used Kramatorsk as a base of operations. Ukraine's State Emergency Service is still clearing rubble from the site and searching for survivors.

🔍 Prigozhin, Putin’s exiled Wagner chief, is hiding out in a windowless hotel room in Minsk to avoid assassination. After launching a failed coup against Putin and Moscow with his Wagner PMC, Prigozhin fled Russia and chose to hide out in Minsk to avoid “mysteriously falling out” of a window to his death. Better eliminate any chances of such accidents.

🤝 Guatemala’s presidential candidate Bernardo Arevalo wants to be friends with both China and Taiwan. Arevalo has been an advocate for enhancing relations with China while also maintaining strong ties with Taiwan, all within a framework of "mutual respect." He firmly believes that fostering better relations with China will greatly boost trade opportunities.