Pakistan spreads fake news?

Hi Global Recap readers,

Yesterday, just after I hit send on the newsletter, I came across an interesting theory gaining traction on social media. Some are questioning the curious timing of the recent escalation in the India-Pakistan conflict.

🤔 The speculation goes like this: just as US companies begin signaling plans to shift parts of their manufacturing from China to India, tensions in the region spike—raising concerns about the stability of India as an alternative hub.

Coincidence? Many are calling this tinfoil for now.

I think this meme really nails the heart of the conversation:

🇵🇰 PAKISTAN
Proof? Social Media

After the initial Indian retaliatory strike sent news media scrambling to churn out quick updates, attention has now shifted to verifying the claims and announcements.

Now, Pakistan’s defence minister is under scrutiny, pressed for proof of downing 5 Indian jets during Operation Sindoor.

His response? “It’s all on social media.”

He’s getting mocked for it, but is it justified?

Minister’s Response

During a CNN interview, Pakistan’s defence minister, Khawaja Asif, seemingly brushed off demands for evidence.

(This part of the conversation starts at 12:19)

• He stated, “It is all on social media, on Indian social media, not on our social media.”

• The vague reference to jet debris falling on the Indian side leaves many questions unanswered.

• He was also asked whether Chinese equipment was used to down Indian jets, but his response was coy and evasive, even avoiding a direct answer on whether the jets were downed at all.

Old Photo Mix-Up

A closer look reveals that the “evidence” circulating online isn’t new at all.

Here’s the photo making the rounds, supposedly showing the wreckage of the Indian jet that was shot down.

• Fact-checkers from India’s Press Information Bureau identified the photo as an unrelated 2021 incident involving an IAF MiG-21.

• In fact, you don’t even need a deep dive by fact-checkers—a quick search pulls up the original Lokmat Times article, which is still live and easy to find. Click here for the article.

Pakistan PM

It isn’t just old photos circulating on the internet, though, it’s also the Prime Minister of Pakistan himself saying that there were 5 Indian jets downed.

Note

That said, it’s worth pointing out that English isn’t the minister’s first language. While political deflection isn’t tied to any one tongue, some of what he said may have gotten muddled or lost in translation.

• In the interview, he also insists that the so-called terrorist camps targeted in Operation Sindoor were nothing but a product of India’s imagination—fabricated to legitimize their offensive.

🇩🇰 DENMARK
Denmark Confronts US Spying

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen is set to call in the acting US ambassador after a Wall Street Journal report claimed that US intelligence agencies are ramping up surveillance on Greenland.

Spying Report

The Wall Street Journal report recently reported that US intelligence is zeroing in on Greenland.

• The report cites “two anonymous sources” linking the boost in spying to President Trump’s long-ago ambitions for the island.

• It suggests Washington’s agenda is part of a broader campaign to maneuver Greenland into its sphere of influence.

Danish Reaction

In an informal EU ministers’ meeting in Warsaw, Rasmussen didn’t take this news too kindly.

• He stated, “I have read the article in the Wall Street Journal and it worries me greatly because we do not spy on friends.”

• The foreign minister plans to summon the acting US ambassador for a discussion, a move designed to clarify this unsettling intelligence activity.

US Stance

The US remains characteristically tight-lipped on the news.

• A State Department spokesperson declined to comment on intelligence affairs, deferring to earlier remarks by National Security Council spokesperson James Hewitt.

• This silence contrasts sharply with the proactive steps being taken in Copenhagen and underscores a growing diplomatic strain.

Context

• For years, President Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in making Greenland part of the United States.

• Leaders in both Denmark and Greenland insist that only Greenlanders should shape the island’s future, setting the stage for a delicate balancing act between long-held alliances and new ambitions.

🇨🇳 CHINA
Xi Calls US Hegemony “Fascist”

Chinese leader Xi Jinping is now in Moscow as Putin’s marquee guest ahead of the Victory Day military parade.

But before he touched down, Xi published an article in both Russian and Chinese media, branding the US as “fascist”—though he stopped just short of saying it outright.

Provocative Rhetoric

His article declares, “Eighty years ago, the forces of justice around the world, including China and the Soviet Union, united in courageous battles against their common foes and defeated the overbearing fascist powers.”

• While he never names the US outright, it’s pretty clear he’s taking aim at American hegemony and what he calls “bullying”—branding it all as fascist in tone.

• He even goes so far as to draw parallels between the US and the Nazis. Once again, not explicitly, but it’s clear who he is referring to.

Moscow Trip

Why is this article significant? Because Xi’s four-day state visit to Russia coincides with the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s WWII victory on Friday.

• This is an event marked by strong themes of military and cultural pride, attended by 28 foreign leaders.

• Publishing this article at such a moment signals that China is not only preparing for confrontation but is also attempting to claim moral high ground against the West.

• Also, Xi’s “Main guest” status was confirmed by Russian state news.

• This marks his third trip since the war began over three years ago.

🇻🇦 VATICAN CITY
Day One: No New Pope

After a much-anticipated round of secret ballots, black smoke billows from the Sistine Chapel, signaling that 133 cardinals couldn’t reach a consensus.

First Day Vote

Shortly after the formal procession and swearing of secrecy, voting kicked off around 5:45 pm local time, but by 9:05 pm the unmistakable plume of black smoke confirmed no decision had been reached.

• Over 45,000 faithful gathered in St Peter’s Square witnessed the historic signal.

• The ritual, steeped in centuries of tradition, continues to captivate devoted followers.

Historic Ritual

If you're not familiar with the ritual, the conclave uses plumes of smoke to announce whether a new pope has been chosen or not.

• Black smoke means no decision has been reached. It signals to the public that a vote was taken, but no candidate achieved the required two-thirds majority.

• White smoke means a new pope has been elected. It’s the traditional sign that consensus has been reached and the Church has a new leader.

• The smoke emerges from a small chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel, and it’s closely watched by crowds in St. Peter’s Square and millions around the world.

• Past conclaves have sometimes wrapped up in less than 36 hours.

Controversy

Amid accusations of wading too deep into geopolitics, the Vatican now finds itself tangled in a handful of controversies:

• DEI Pope? Not long after Pope Francis passed, the media spotlight quickly turned to Luis Antonio Tagle (the Philippines) and Peter Turkson (Ghana) as potential frontrunners. But the real controversy wasn’t about who was leading the pack—it was the growing concern that the Vatican might cave to pressure and choose the next pope based on nationality or race, rather than merit.

• Feminism. Outside the chapel, members of Catholic Women’s Ordination made a statement, releasing bursts of pink smoke to protest the exclusion of women from the voting process.