plane hijacked

Hi Global Recap readers,

Now that’s a headline you don’t see often—especially post-9/11. What’s even more unusual? The hijacker’s nationality: a US citizen.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the questions and oddities surrounding this incident. 👇️ 

🇧🇿 BELIZE
Hijacker’s Flight Ends Deadly

A US man hijacked a small passenger plane in Belize, only to be shot dead onboard by the police commissioner.

Hijack

What started as a routine flight from Corozal to San Pedro quickly turned dangerous when Akinyela Sawa Taylor took control at knifepoint.

• Fourteen passengers were onboard when Taylor used a knife to intimidate everyone.

• He ordered the pilot to fly out of the country.

• In the process, two passengers ended up injured, one with a stab wound.

Passenger Intervention

The situation shifted quickly when Chester Williams, Belize’s police commissioner and a passenger on the flight, stepped in.

• Williams shot Taylor in the chest as he tried to force the plane to depart immediately.

• His quick thinking likely averted a greater tragedy, especially with the plane dangerously low on fuel.

Aftermath

After circling erratically over Belize City, the plane finally landed at Philip Goldson International Airport without further incident.

• A rescue helicopter was tracking the plane, prepared for any emergency.

• Taylor was pronounced dead at a local hospital, while one injured passenger is reported to be in critical condition.

• Officials are still trying to figure out what drove Taylor, especially since he’d already been denied entry into Belize, but somehow still slipped across the border anyway.

🇮🇹 ITALY
Trump, Meloni: Tariff Talks

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni landed at the White House to hash out trade and tariff issues with President Trump.

The Encounter

But at least for Trump, Meloni’s visit wasn’t just about Italy—it was a direct line for Trump to engage with someone he considers a model among European leaders.

• Trump greeted her with high praise, stating she’s a true example for Europe.

• Her arrival comes right after a Japanese group’s meeting, showing Trump’s tactic of face-to-face diplomacy.

• An elaborate lunch, attended by Vice President JD Vance, helped set the stage for these weighty discussions.

Promising a Deal

In a move that’s as bold as it is unpredictable, Trump vowed big on making progress before the tariff pause expires.

• The president confidently declared, “There’ll be a trade deal, 100 percent,” aiming to reassure his base.

• His stance offers a clear signal that this isn’t just idle talk—it's part of a broader push to rework how America handles international pricing pressure.

• Meloni is seen as a key conduit to influence wider European trade policy.

Italy’s Economic Leverage

Italy’s $45 billion trade surplus with the US—fueled by luxury exports like Ferraris and fine cheeses—adds an interesting detail to the meeting.

• This surplus clearly shows American demand for high-end Italian products, even as tariffs on imported autos remain a point of contention.

• Despite its export strength, Italy falls short of NATO’s 2 percent defense spending target, hovering around 1.5 percent.

  • And Trump? He’s been hammering that point for years, pressing allies to meet their NATO commitments.

• These contrasting figures give Trump plenty to work with when leveraging trade and political negotiations.

Tariff Uncertainty

The meeting unfolded against a backdrop of tariff jitters that have kept global leaders on their toes.

• Just a day earlier, a Japanese delegation left without securing a deal on auto parts and electronics.

  • In fact, this has only led more people to question whether the President truly had that 4D chess master plan his supporters keep talking about. It’s a valid concern, but maybe it’s too soon to write him off. We might still need to give him some time and “let him cook,” as they say.

• Trump’s erratic approach—raising, lowering, or suspending tariffs at a whim—adds an unpredictable element to the negotiations.

• The discussions are purported to be part of a broader strategy aimed at asserting US economic power in a rapidly changing global trade landscape.

Broader Context

• Trump has been blunt about his disdain for the European Union, once remarking that it was created to “screw” the US.

• By engaging directly with Meloni, he sidesteps traditional EU channels, aiming to shake up the international order from the top down.

Press

Here’s the all-too-familiar press Q&A with PM Meloni:

🇾🇪 YEMEN
Deadly Airstrike on Yemen Port

A US airstrike on the Ras Isa oil port in Yemen is reportedly one of the deadliest days in a month-long campaign.

Houthi-run media claim the strike killed 33 people and wounded 80, as the US insists it was meant to disrupt the terrorists’ finances rather than target civilians.

The Attack

The US military launched airstrikes on the Houthi-controlled Ras Isa oil port, aiming to cut off the terrorist group’s “illegal revenue.”

• The port is a key source of funding for the Houthis, who have been waging conflict in the region for over 10 years.

• The operation follows hundreds of strikes carried out since March 15 under President Trump’s orders, all aimed at reining in the Houthis, who’ve been relentlessly targeting ships in the area, and keeping vital sea lanes open for safe passage.

Casualty Figures

Houthi-run media report a grim toll that, if confirmed, marks one of the bloodiest days of the campaign.

• The reports cite 33 deaths and 80 injuries, with graphic footage showing the aftermath.

• Casualty numbers have not been formally acknowledged by the US military.

US Justification

US Central Command defended the strike as a measure against funds that support terrorism.

• The command stated the strike targeted revenue sources—not civilians—claiming, “this strike was not intended to harm the people of Yemen, who rightly want to throw off the yoke of Houthi subjugation and live peacefully.”

• This is the same kind of question that comes up whenever official Gaza sources release casualty numbers: how many were innocent civilians, how many were unintended collateral damage, and how many were actual militants?

  • The side under attack has every incentive to highlight civilian deaths to rally international sympathy.

  • Meanwhile, the attackers will argue that the vast majority of the casualties were terrorists to justify their actions.

Dynamics

This latest airstrike is part of an evolving US strategy that marks a departure from previous administrations.

• Analysis by the Associated Press suggests Trump’s approach is broader, even targeting ranking terrorist personnel along with infrastructure.

• The renewed campaign follows threats from the Houthis to target “Israeli” ships after Israel blocked aid into Gaza.

Regional Implications

Beyond the immediate impact, the strike ties into broader tensions and US foreign policy moves.

• On 9 April, the US State Department warned against commercial support for Houthi-controlled ports amid these operations.

• The ongoing strikes also serve as leverage in the US effort to pressure Iran over its advancing nuclear program.

🇺🇦 UKRAINE
Minerals Deal Memo Signed

Ukraine and the US have taken a key first step by signing a memorandum of intent that could lead to a broader minerals deal—and an economic partnership focused on Ukraine’s reconstruction.

Memorandum

Kyiv and Washington have inked a memo that’s meant to pave the way for an Economic Partnership Agreement and the creation of an Investment Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukraine.

• Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced,

• This document marks just the first formal step in what could become a major minerals deal.

Trump’s Take

President Trump’s made his stance on the deal crystal clear: he sees it as payback for past US military aid and a way to lock in priority access to Ukraine’s resources.

It also gives Washington a built-in reason to have official personnel on the ground—essentially putting up a stop sign for Russia and making it harder for them to strike Ukraine without risking direct confrontation.

• Trump told reporters, “We have a minerals deal, which I guess is going to be signed on Thursday.”

• US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent mentioned that while the documents are still being fine-tuned, the full agreement is roughly an 80‑page framework.

Kyiv’s Perspective

Ukrainian leaders are viewing this memo as a sign of positive, constructive intentions from both sides.

• President Zelenskyy underscored the spirit of collaboration by saying, “This is a memorandum of intent. And we have positive, constructive intentions.”

• The memorandum also reflects a proactive move by Ukraine, especially after a delegation traveled to Washington for these talks.

What’s Next

There’s still some uncertainty about the exact timing and details of the comprehensive deal, as negotiations continue.

• While the memorandum might be signed online later today, a complete agreement will require ratification by Ukraine’s parliament.

• Both sides are working on the finer details, with further steps likely in the coming days.

🇬🇧 UNITED KINGDOM
Drone Defense Test Success

Here’s one for all you weapons enthusiasts:

The UK military recently completed a promising test of its new RapidDestroyer—a radio-frequency directed energy weapon designed to intercept drone swarms—during an exercise in Wales.

Test

British soldiers took part in what the government described as its largest counter-drone swarm exercise to date.

• Soldiers “successfully tracked, targeted and defeated swarms of drones” during the trial.

• Over 100 drones were intercepted at a military range in Wales.

RapidDestroyer

Developed by a consortium led by the British arm of French defense giant Thales, RapidDestroyer uses radio wave energy to affect drone components directly.

• The system is effective up to about half a mile.

• Each fired shot costs roughly $0.18, making it as a cost-effective complement to traditional missile-based air defenses.

Strategic Context

This test is part of the UK’s broader efforts to modernize its defense capabilities amid rising drone threats.

• The Ministry of Defense is set to allocate at least 10% of its equipment procurement spending on innovative technologies from 2025‑26.

• The push for advanced counter-drone measures comes as drone swarms become increasingly common in frontline combat, notably in conflicts such as Ukraine’s.

Looking Ahead

Ongoing work aims to extend the weapon’s effective range and potential applications.

• Enhancements could enable the protection of sensitive sites like defense bases and airports.

• The UK’s approach complements similar efforts elsewhere, including recent US tests using microwave energy systems. 😬