Kazakh President Jabs at Putin

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Global Recap
November 10, 2023 • Read in: 7 minutes

Hi Global Recap readers,

If you’ve never been convinced of the theory that Putin has a body double or gets Botox to iron out his years of stress, wait till you get to the In-Depth section where I included the latest video of Putin with his new… cheeks.

No, it’s not from the “jab at Putin.”

Or is it?

🌐 Around the world:

  • Israel agrees to a daily pause.

  • US drone downed by Houthi militants.

  • Two Jewish schools shot in Canada.

  • Ukraine: ready for formal EU talks.

  • Kazakh president lands a jab at Putin.

Let’s get into today’s news.

🕊️ Israel Agrees to Pauses

US President Biden and Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu

Israel has accepted President Biden’s request to halt its attacks on Hamas in northern Gaza for four hours each day, starting from Thursday. The White House says the pauses are meant to allow humanitarian aid and civilian evacuation.

Hamas? Still silent.

Ceasefire? Not on the horizon yet.

🚀 Drone Downed Near Yemen

MQ-9 Reaper

A US military drone was shot down by Houthi militants in international waters off the coast of Yemen. The US confirmed the incident and said it was assessing the situation.

The drone: MQ-9 Reaper, armed with missiles and bombs.

Cost: Around $32 million.

The drone is a key asset for combat and surveillance missions. I wonder what the US will do next.

🔫 Canada Shaken by Shootings

Police cars stand guard at Talmud Torah Elementary School, one of two Montreal Jewish schools targeted in an overnight shooting

Two Montreal Jewish schools were shot at overnight, in what police say is the latest violent incident linked to the Israel-Hamas war. No one was injured, but the schools were left with bullet holes.

Prime Minister Trudeau and Quebec Premier Legault condemned the shootings and called for peace and tolerance.

🇪🇺 Ukraine Ready for EU

The European Commission has recommended that Ukraine start formal talks to join the EU. However, Ukraine still has to convince some EU countries, such as Hungary, and improve its anti-corruption and minority rights record.

🎬 YouTube Success

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Here’s the game-changer: Join a vibrant community of creators where you’ll find the answers you need.

The cherry on top? Sign up now and snag our 5-day course packed with insights - absolutely FREE!

Kazakhstan

Kazakh President Jabs at Putin

🇰🇿 Kazakh President Shocks Russia. In a bold move, President Tokayev of Kazakhstan concluded Russia’s diplomatic visit on Thursday with a speech in his native Kazakh, breaking from the usual Russian.

  • The Russian delegation’s response? A flurry of gasps, whispers, and confusion.

🇷🇺 Russia’s Diplomatic Visit to Astana. President Putin’s visit to Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, was anticipated to be a harmonious affair. The agenda? Bolstering ties and inking deals on energy, customs, and labor. After all, Kazakhstan isn’t just a close ally, but a co-founding member of the Eurasian Economic Union, alongside Russia and Belarus.

😲 Why It Matters. In a diplomatic masterstroke, President Tokayev’s choice to use Kazakh over Russian subtly yet assertively broadcasts Kazakhstan’s intent to affirm its sovereignty and identity, even as Russia’s influence wanes in the post-Soviet landscape.

Kazakhstan has also been:

  • promoting the use of Kazakh language in media and education,

  • rejecting Russia’s intervention in Ukraine, and

  • diversifying its foreign relations with other countries.

Russian remains the dominant language in Kazakhstan, which is why President Tokayev has been promoting the use of Kazakh.

👀 The Reaction. Caught off guard, Russian officials scramble for interpreting headsets as a video captures their confusion. Tokayev’s switch from Russian to Kazakh, after addressing the delegation as “dear colleagues” in Russian, is hailed as a “power move” by observers.

Putin, however, did not seem to be bothered by the switch. That being said, he, like the rest of the Russian delegation, didn’t seem to be ready for President Tokayev’s surprise move.

Cope?

🤝 The Outcome of the Meeting. Despite the awkward moment, the meeting resulted in several agreements on energy, customs, and labor issues. Tokayev praised the bilateral trade between the two countries, which reached a record $27 billion last year. He also expressed his hope for further cooperation and friendship with Russia.

Bonus

Body double or Botox?