Pneumonia Epidemic in Denmark

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Global Recap
November 30, 2023 • Read in: 7 minutes

Hi Global Recap readers,

It is official. Denmark officially declared the recent surge in pneumonia cases as an epidemic.

But should we worry?

🌐 Around the world:

  • Pneumonia epidemic declared.

  • Russia wants “loyalty agreements” from visitors.

  • Christmas market terror attack foiled in Germany.

  • A Thai hostage speaks out about Hamas abuse.

  • Last-minute ceasefire deal reached, yet, Hamas kills Israelis in Jerusalem.

Let’s get into today’s news.

🤧 Pneumonia Epidemic in Denmark

A bacterial infection called “mycoplasma pneumoniae” is spreading across Denmark, prompting the government to declare it an epidemic.

  • The same bacteria has also caused a surge of cases in China, especially among children.

  • Pneumonia cases in the Netherlands are also shooting up.

Although Denmark tends to experience mycoplasma pneumonia outbreaks roughly every four years, health experts are warning Europe to prepare.

Is this the new COVID-19? Experts do not think so.

🇷🇺 Russia Only Wants Loyal Visitors

Russia is drafting a bill requiring foreigners to sign a “loyalty agreement” before entering the country. The agreement would forbid foreigners from criticizing Russia’s policies, authorities, and history.

  • Restrictions: The agreement would ban foreigners from criticizing Russia’s policies, authorities, and government officials. It would also prohibit the promotion of LGBT relations and the questioning of Soviet military history.

  • Motivation: The bill aims to protect “Russian national interests” and quell dissent against Putin’s regime.

🎄 Christmas Market Attack Foiled

A pair of teenage boys allegedly planned to bomb a Christmas market in Leverkusen, Germany. They were arrested on Wednesday after one of them posted their plot in a chat group.

  • Motivation: The suspects wanted to join an offshoot of the so-called “Islamic State” group in Afghanistan after the attack.

  • Material: One of the boys claimed to have acquired gasoline for “a fuel-induced explosion of a small truck.” No fuel was found at his home.

👩‍🏫 Thai Hostage Speak Out

A Thai worker who was freed from Hamas captivity says that Israeli hostages were treated worse than others - sometimes being beaten with electrical cables.

  • Abduction: The Thai worker was one of 32 Thais kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, when the terror group killed 1,200 people in Israel and seized 240 hostages.

  • Hostage conditions: He says they were given little food, one pita a day, and sometimes tuna or cheese. He says they were allowed to shower once.

“I was with Israelis, and there were guards all the time. The Jews who were with me were treated more harshly. Sometimes they were beaten with electrical cables.”

The aforementioned Thai worker

Israel-Hamas

Last-Minute Ceasefire Deal Reached, But…

Last-Minute Truce

👏 Hostages Freed in Gaza. Hamas released eight Israeli hostages on Thursday as part of a last-minute truce deal with Israel, which also agreed to free 30 Palestinian prisoners.

🕊️ Truce Extended for Seventh Day. As the ceasefire’s eleventh hour approached, many of us braced for renewed conflict, with silence from both sides. But minutes before the expiration time (05:00 UTC), Israel announced that the “operational pause” would continue for the seventh day on Thursday.

8️⃣ Why Eight Hostages? Diligent followers of the Israel-Hamas conflict know the drill: 10 Israeli hostages released buys another day of truce. But, in a surprising turn, Israel accepted just eight releases on Thursday, following Wednesday’s over-delivery of 12.

Hamas Shooting in Israel

🔫 Jerusalem Shooting. On Thursday morning, two Hamas gunmen arrived at a bus stop in Jerusalem in a white car and opened fire at civilians, killing three Israelis and wounding eight others. They were all killed soon after.

✉️ Hamas Statement. Hamas, in a subsequent statement claiming responsibility for the act, branded the attack as "a natural response to the unprecedented crimes of the occupier in the Gaza Strip and against children in Jenin," located in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

🇮🇱 Netanyahu’s Response. In response to the shooting, Israeli PM Netanyahu vowed to continue his mission to achieve three goals:

  • Free all Israeli hostages

  • Eradicate Hamas

  • Ensure a future where Gaza no longer poses a terrorist threat to Israel

👀 Why It Matters. The incident did not seem to affect the truce or the hostage exchange. Egyptian and Qatari negotiators are hard at work, striving for a long-term pact encompassing more hostage releases, prisoner exchanges, and increased aid for Gaza. Yet, the Jerusalem shooting serves as a stark reminder of the delicate and volatile nature of the situation, where a single spark could set off a powder keg of violence.