Israeli agent in Iran?

Hi Global Recap readers,

I knew it was too good to be true.

• UK art galleries quiet?

• No Just Oil protestors causing chaos?

Well, it seems another activist group has stepped up to fill the void. Taking a cue from Just Stop Oil, they’re trying to deface yet another historical and culturally significant monument to humanity. 👇

🇬🇧 UNITED KINGDOM
“Activists” Cover Picasso

Déjà vu alert:

Pro-Palestine activists made quite a bold statement by defacing a priceless painting at the National Gallery… again.

The Incident

Shortly before noon, protesters pasted an image over Picasso’s “Motherhood” and spilled red paint, with one protestor chanting "Free, free, Palestine.”

Here’s the video of one spilling red paint:

• The image pasted over Picasso’s painting depicted a Gazan mother and child, taken by journalist Ali Jadallah.

• The protest aimed to push for an arms embargo on Israel.

• The painting itself was unharmed, thanks to its protective glass.

• Two protesters were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

🤔 So, who were those responsible for this act? A group called Youth Demand.

Gallery’s Response

Thankfully, the National Gallery confirmed no damage to the Picasso painting.

• Staff quickly intervened to prevent further damage.

• The gallery emphasized the importance of protecting cultural heritage.

Previous Protests

This isn’t the first time art has been targeted in protests.

• Last month, Just Stop Oil activists threw tomato soup at Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers.”

• Similar protests have led to criminal damage convictions.

Where are these people coming from?

Question

So, why don’t these so-called compassionate “activists” fly to Gaza and help the people in need directly?

• You can even spot the culprit grinning after watching the guard’s flustered reaction as if they take pleasure in how their disruptive acts affect others.

• Or is it the thrill of doing something otherwise socially forbidden and getting away with it?

🇮🇷 IRAN
Qaani Under Investigation

For days, speculation has swirled about the whereabouts of Brigadier-General Esmail Qaani following Israel’s heavy strike on Beirut.

🤔 Is he dead? In hiding? Some even suggest he may be an Israeli spy who fled after the attack.

Now, reports indicate he is alive and currently being interrogated in Iran.

Qaani’s Whereabouts

Qaani’s location has been uncertain since Israel’s strike in Beirut that killed Hezbollah’s presumed successor, Hashem Safieddine.

• However, Qaani and his team are now believed to be under isolation while being examined in Iran.

Previously, some have suggested that this photo depicts Qaani in disguise, attempting to evade detection by Israelis. OR, perhaps he’s evading Iranians because he’s a Mossad agent…? 😂

Security Breaches

Iran is investigating potential security breaches within the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

• Ten sources from Beirut, Baghdad, and Tehran confirm the isolation.

• There are suspicions of Israeli infiltration in the Lebanese arena.

✅ Personally, whether the speculation holds any truth or not, I believe this reveals Iran’s paranoia, showing they may be falling victim to Israel’s psychological operations.

Health Concerns

Some reports even suggest Qaani suffered a heart attack during interrogations.

• Israeli media, citing Sky News, reported the heart attack.

• A source linked to Hezbollah claims the breach was "100 percent Iranian." Could this indicate a growing rift in their alliance?

Background

Qaani succeeded Qasem Soleimani after his assassination by the US in 2020.

• He has not been publicly seen since the elimination of Hezbollah’s chief Hassan Nasrallah in late September.

• Qaani and other IRGC commanders arrived in Beirut for an on-site assessment after Nasrallah’s death.

🇸🇪 SWEDEN
Israeli Arms Maker Targeted in Gothenburg Shooting

A Gothenburg office of Israeli military tech firm Elbit Systems was targeted in a shooting.

Thankfully, no one was injured, according to Swedish police, and a young suspect has been arrested.

The Shooting Incident

• Police responded to a shooting "against an Israeli object in Kalleback" in Gothenburg, a coastal city in southwestern Sweden.

• No injuries were reported, and a suspect under the age of 15 was arrested. Yes, you read that right—a 15-year-old.

• An investigation has been opened into "attempted murder" and an "aggravated weapons crime."

• Police sent several patrols and a helicopter to the scene, but Elbit Systems said it "currently had no comment."

Recent Attacks on Israeli Targets

• This is the latest in a series of attacks on Israeli targets in Scandinavia in recent weeks.

• In early June, police found a "suspected explosive object" outside the offices of Elbit Systems.

• Throughout the Gaza war, pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel protesters have assailed the firm.

• On Tuesday, protesters splashed red paint on the London offices of German financial firm Allianz over its ties to Elbit.

🇨🇳 CHINA
Deputy Bank Head Sentenced

China’s former deputy central bank governor, Fan Yifei, has been handed a suspended death sentence for taking bribes.

• Is this a sign of China’s deeply entrenched corruption problem?

• Or is this yet another instance of elites being scapegoated to distract from the country’s deeper structural issues?

The Sentence

Fan Yifei received a death sentence with a two-year reprieve.

• After two years, the sentence will be commuted to life imprisonment without parole.

• Fan was found guilty of accepting over 386 million yuan ($54.55 million) in bribes.

The Crimes

Fan’s crimes were deemed extremely serious.

• He reportedly used his positions at the central bank and other financial institutions to accept bribes.

• The court highlighted the severe social impact and heavy losses to the state and people.

Investigation and Expulsion

Fan was investigated and expelled from the Communist Party.

• He was placed under investigation in late 2022.

• Fan was expelled from the party in 2023.

Anti-Graft Drive

Fan’s case is part of a broader “anti-corruption” campaign.

• President Xi Jinping’s anti-graft drive has targeted high-ranking officials in the financial sector.

• Other notable figures ensnared include Liu Liange and Wang Bin.

🔴 But remember: Xi Jinping’s previous anti-corruption campaign, which began in 2012, is widely seen as a tactic to eliminate his political rivals.

🇷🇺 RUSSIA
Putin Fires US Ambassador

In a surprising move, Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed Russia’s ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov.

The Dismissal

Putin issued a decree to relieve Antonov of his duties.

• The decree was dated October 10 and signed by Putin.

• No reason was given for the dismissal.

• Antonov has been the ambassador since 2017.

Antonov’s Background

Antonov has a long history in Russian diplomacy.

• Born in Omsk, he specialized in nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons control.

• He served as deputy defense minister and deputy foreign minister before his ambassadorial role.

Diplomatic Tensions

Antonov’s tenure saw significant diplomatic challenges.

• He was recalled to Moscow in 2021 after Biden called Putin a “killer.”

• He denied Russia’s plans for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine just before the war began.

Future Steps

The Kremlin assures a timely replacement for Antonov.

• A new ambassador will be appointed soon.

• The change does not signal a downgrade in US-Russia relations.