Found Dead: Swedish Diplomat

Hi Global Recap readers,

The stock market has been rebounding rapidly since the recent selloff.

• Today seemed to follow the recent recovery trend—until a sharp dump in the final minutes erased much of the gains.

• Meanwhile, bond yields have been rising again, adding pressure that doesn’t bode well for the US economy.

So, what talk about the markets? Its mixed signals seem to reflect the broader uncertainty we’re living through. And this week ends on an especially ambiguous note, with conflicting statements leaving a big question mark over what comes next.

🌐 WORLD
Fast Scroll News

🇺🇸 Moody’s Downgrades US. Moody’s downgraded the US credit rating from risk-free “Aaa” to “Aa1,” citing ballooning debt and rising interest costs. It’s the latest blow to Trump’s economic agenda, especially as he pushes to extend tax cuts. Moody’s joins Fitch and S&P in sounding the alarm over the US’s spending habits, warning that debt could swell to 134% of GDP by 2035. Trump’s critics say it’s a wake-up call, while his allies call the move “outrageous” and question the agency’s credibility.

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🇸🇪 Swedish Journalist Freed. Joakim Medin, jailed in Turkey for “insulting” President Erdogan, is finally heading home after Sweden’s foreign ministry stepped in. He was arrested in March while covering protests over the detention of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu. Though handed an 11-month suspended sentence, he was held longer over separate charges of “belonging to a terror organization,” which he denies.

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🇸🇾 Saudi Arabia & Qatar Clear Syria’s Debt. The World Bank just confirmed that Saudi Arabia and Qatar wiped out Syria’s $15.5 million debt, giving Damascus a clean slate. It’s a big break for a country still digging out from 14 years of war that killed half a million people and shattered its infrastructure. First on the World Bank’s list: tackling Syria’s power crisis—most people get barely two hours of electricity a day. And with Trump now vowing to lift sanctions, foreign investors might finally take notice.

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🇮🇷 Iran Didn’t Receive US Deal. Iran’s Foreign Minister just shut down Trump’s claim that Iran “sort of” agreed to a new US-proposed nuclear agreement, calling it “confusing and contradictory.” Trump had told reporters the US offered Tehran a formal proposal, urging them to “move quickly.” Iran, however, says no written offer ever arrived and insists it won’t give up its right to nuclear enrichment.

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🇻🇦 Pope Leo Defines Family. Pope Leo XIV made his stance clear in his first remarks as pontiff: “The family is founded upon the stable union between a man and a woman.” Speaking to Vatican diplomats ahead of his installation Mass, he also reaffirmed Catholic teaching on the dignity of the unborn and the elderly—interpreted to be a nod to ongoing debates over abortion and gender ideology.

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🇸🇪 SWEDEN
Swedish Diplomat
Dies After Release

A veteran Swedish diplomat (identity undisclosed) who was recently arrested on suspicion of espionage was found dead just days after his release, according to his lawyer.

What Happened

Sweden’s SAPO security service detained the diplomat on Sunday, questioning him until Wednesday. He was released that day but remained under investigation.

• He denied any wrongdoing and even filed a complaint against the police for misconduct and assault.

• The diplomat reportedly went straight to the hospital after his release.

• Police have now launched an inquiry into his death but say there’s “no suspicion a crime has been committed.”

Official Response

His lawyer, Anton Strand, announced the death on Friday, paying tribute but declining to comment on the cause.

• Sweden’s foreign ministry acknowledged the loss but withheld further details out of respect for the family.

Possible Links to Security Shakeups

Public broadcaster SVT reported the diplomat may be connected to the sudden resignation of Sweden’s national security adviser, Tobias Thyberg, last week.

• Thyberg quit after just one day, following a leak of explicit images from a LGBTQ dating app, Grindr.

What’s Ahead?

Are the police responsible, or does this have something to do with Thyberg?

Evidently, not much is known about the case—officials and those close to the situation are keeping the details under wraps. Aside from speculation, there’s little to go on, so we would have to just wait for further details.

🇷🇺 RUSSIA & 🇺🇦 UKRAINE
Direct Talks End in Swap

In Istanbul, Russia and Ukraine finally sat down for direct talks for the first time since 2022, but the meeting was short, just under two hours.

It ended with an agreement to swap 1,000 prisoners, but many disputes still remain unresolved, leaving the future uncertain.

The Istanbul Meeting

The delegations met in Turkey, where Ukraine pushed hard for a ceasefire—something its Western allies back. Russia didn’t budge.

• Ukraine’s spokesman said, “If you want to have serious negotiations, you have to have guns silenced.”

• Moscow’s lead negotiator called the meeting “satisfactory” and said talks will continue.

At least, that’s what they said publicly.

More Will Die

According to an anonymous official briefed by a delegate in the room, the head of the Russian delegation, Vladimir Medinsky, told the Ukrainians:

In a state TV interview after the talks, Medinsky said he had referenced the 21-year war between Russia and Sweden—signaling that Russia is prepared for a prolonged war.

Russia’s New Demands

So what does Russia want? During the talks, Russia threw out fresh demands that Ukraine flatly rejected, like pulling Ukrainian forces from large swaths of territory.

• A senior Ukrainian official called Russia’s demands “unacceptable,” reflecting Ukraine’s strong no-territorial compromise stance.

• Kherson and Zaporizhzhia remain key points of contention.

• Ukraine’s main focus is said to be on securing an immediate ceasefire and meaningful diplomacy.

Prisoner Swap

That being said, both sides agreed on a prisoner swap that many saw as a huge humanitarian win amid hardened positions.

• Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhii Tykhyi remarked, “we will make a thousand Ukrainian families happy.”

• 1,000 prisoners will be exchanged per side.

• Although this is the sole outcome of this meeting.

Unresolved Demands

Despite the prisoner swap, deeper issues remained unsolved. Ukraine was asked to withdraw from parts of its territory—a demand firmly rejected by its delegation.

• Territorial concessions were demanded, notably from areas it partly controls.

• Kherson and Zaporizhzhia remain key points of contention.

• Ukraine maintained a strong no-territorial-compromise stance.

Looking Forward

While the brief talks ended on an ambiguous note, both sides agreed to submit detailed ceasefire proposals in future sessions.

• Turkey is set to continue hosting further discussions.

• Plans for next-round talks will focus on a ceasefire vision.