Megaquake warning

Hi Global Recap readers,

On this day in 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki. The one dropped on Hiroshima was called Little Boy. Can you guess what the one dropped on Nagasaki was called?

Fat Man.

According to long-standing lore, the name was inspired by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. 🤦‍♂️

📊 POLL
Discussion

Here are the results from yesterday’s poll:

• Yes: 84%

• No: 7%

• It’s nuanced: 9%

Although the result was skewed overwhelmingly to Yes responses to No and It’s nuanced were noteworthy.

• Those who answered No generally believe there should be consequences for any “hateful” conduct.

• On the other hand, those who chose It’s nuanced agree that while consequences are necessary, we also need a clearer definition of what “hate” actually means.

Many people are concerned about police actions because terms like “hate” can be redefined over time. Additionally, allegations that the UK Prime Minister is enforcing a two-tier policing system - where minorities seem to avoid legal repercussions while those labeled “far-right” do not - make the issue even more pressing.

• Billy Thompson, 31, was recently sentenced to 12 weeks for his “racist” Facebook post. He allegedly reacted online to Cumbria Police’s announcement of a dispersal order over potential disorder by writing, “filthy bastards,” accompanied by an emoji of a person of ethnic minority and an emoji of a gun. Nobody’s arguing against consequences for directly inciting violence. The real question is whether cursing and emojis should result in jail time. Is this a clear enough example of incitement, or should there be a higher bar for a jailable crime? If so, where is the line drawn? And can this line be moved in the future?

• Many are pointing out the lack of condemnation from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the media regarding the brutal beating of police officers at Manchester Airport, which left a female officer with a broken nose. It’s important to note that legal action might be delayed due to the complexities involved, such as one of the officers kicking one of the assailants in the face during the arrest.

The differences in opinion may never be fully resolved because we were all shaped by different values and environments. However, understanding different perspectives and asking questions about them is essential.

Let’s hope that violence does not escalate in the UK.

🇯🇵 JAPAN
Megaquake to Hit?

Japan’s Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, has canceled his trip to Central Asia after experts warned of a potential “megaquake” following a recent earthquake in the southwest.

Prime Minister’s Decision

• He was scheduled to meet leaders in Kazakhstan and Mongolia.

• His decision comes amid low approval ratings and an upcoming ruling party election.

Earthquake Warning

On Friday, the Japan Meteorological Agency issued its first-ever warning of a potential “megaquake.”

• The warning follows a magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Kyushu.

• The agency highlighted the increased risk along the Nankai Trough.

Historical Context

The Nankai Trough has a history of massive earthquakes.

• “Megaquakes” occur in the region every 100 to 200 years.

• The trough runs from Shizuoka to Kyushu, where quakes of magnitude 8 or 9 have been seen.

• The 1707 earthquake remains Japan’s second-most powerful on record.

Potential Impact

Experts predict severe consequences if a megaquake occurs.

• There is a 70-80% chance of a magnitude 8 or 9 quake in the next 30 years.

• In the worst-case scenario, up to 300,000 people could die, with financial losses reaching $13 trillion.

🇻🇪 VENEZUELA
Maduro Blocks Access to X

Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro has blocked access to the social media platform X amid a public feud with its owner, Elon Musk, and a crackdown on dissent following his disputed re-election.

Feud with Musk

Maduro and Musk have been trading insults and threats.

• Maduro accused Musk of inciting unrest and violating Venezuelan laws.

• He even claimed that Musk conducted a cyberattack against the National Electoral Council (CNE).

• Musk called Maduro a “clown” and a “dictator” and accepted Maduro’s challenge to a fistfight.

Social Media Crackdown

Maduro’s government has targeted multiple social media platforms.

• Access to X has been blocked for 10 days, with only VPN users able to access the site.

• Maduro has also criticized Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp, urging Venezuelans to delete the latter from their phones.

• With traditional media under government control, social media is crucial for Venezuelans to share information and organize protests.

🇺🇦 UKRAINE
Ukraine Hits Russian Airfield

In their recent cross-border incursion into Russian territory, Ukraine’s military targeted a military airfield deep inside Russia, causing significant damage and leading to evacuations.

Airfield Strike

Ukraine’s military reported a successful strike on the Lipetsk airfield, over 350km from Ukraine’s border.

• The strike resulted in a huge blaze and multiple detonations.

• Warehouses containing guided bombs were destroyed.

• A state of emergency was declared in the area.

Evacuations

Residents of four nearby villages were evacuated due to the strike.

• Lipetsk’s regional authorities confirmed the detonations at an "energy infrastructure facility."

• The evacuation was a precautionary measure to ensure residents’ safety.

Cross-Border Offensive

Ukraine’s army is continuing its offensive in Russia’s western Kursk region.

• Ukrainian troops are operating about 10km inside Russian territory.

• This marks the deepest cross-border advance by Kyiv since the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Casualties

Russia’s military reported significant casualties among Ukrainian troops.

• Up to 1,000 Ukrainian troops, supported by tanks and armored vehicles, entered the Kursk region.

• Russia claims more than 300 troops have been killed or wounded, though this has not been independently verified.

Zelensky’s Address

Late Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the nation without directly mentioning the incursion.

• He emphasized that Russia must “feel” the consequences of its invasion.

• Zelensky stated, "Ukrainians know how to achieve their goals."

🇮🇱 ISRAEL
Senior Hamas Commander Killed

An Israeli airstrike in Lebanon has taken out a senior Hamas commander, Samer Mahmoud al-Haj, in a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict.

The Strike

An Israeli airstrike targeted a car in southern Lebanon, killing Samer Mahmoud al-Haj.

• The strike occurred near Sidon, about 40 miles from the Israel-Lebanon border.

• Al-Haj was a Hamas security official and commander in the Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp.

• His bodyguard was critically wounded in the attack.

Al-Haj’s Role

Al-Haj was a key figure in Hamas operations against Israel.

• He directed attacks against Israel and recruited and trained terrorists.

• The IDF and Shin Bet confirmed his involvement in these activities.

Broader Conflict

This strike is part of a larger Israeli campaign against militant groups in Lebanon.

• Over the past 10 months, Israel has targeted Hamas, Hezbollah, and other factions.

• These groups have launched various attacks on northern Israel, including rockets and drones.

Recent Escalations

The conflict has seen several high-profile assassinations recently.

• In January, an Israeli strike killed Hamas’s deputy chief, Saleh Arouri.

• Last week, Hezbollah’s top military commander, Fuad Shukr, was also killed by an Israeli strike.

• Hours after Shukr’s death, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran.