Hi Global Recap readers,

The 15th BRICS summit has commenced today in South Africa. And surprise, surprise, Putin didn’t show up.

I wonder why? Eh hem…

We will look into this further in tomorrow’s newsletter.

🌐 Here’s what’s up around the world:

• Somalia bans TikTok and Telegram.

• The African Union (AU) suspends Niger.

• Iran unveils a drone eerily similar to America’s MQ-9 Reaper.

• Prigozhin shows up in a new video in Africa.

• North Korea warns of a “thermonuclear war.”

• Japan is releasing radioactive wastewater this week.

📈 Top News

🚫 Somalia bans TikTok and Telegram. The government has ordered internet providers to remove the apps, citing concerns over the spread of indecent images and extremist propaganda.

Internet providers have until August 24 to comply.

Click here for more.

🇳🇪 The African Union (AU) suspends Niger after a military coup. The suspension will remain in place until civilian rule is restored.

Click here for more.

🚀 Iran’s Defense Ministry unveils a drone that looks like America’s MQ-9 Reaper. The drone, called the Mohajer-10, can stay airborne for 24 hours and has the range to reach Israel.

Iran is known to have captured U.S. drones in the past.

Click here for more.

🔥Wagner leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, seems to be in Africa. In a video posted on Telegram channels linked to the Wagner mercenary group, Prigozhin is seen in combat gear, claiming that the group is making Africa "more free."

Click here for more.

🔥 North Korea warns of a “thermonuclear war” over recent trilateral agreements between the U.S., South Korea, and Japan at Camp David. With Kim’s recent directive to boost weapons manufacturing for an “offensive action for a war,” could they really be preparing for war?

Click here for more.

✍️ In-Depth

Japan
Fukushima Water Release

🌊 Japan made an announcement today, revealing its plan release water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean starting Thursday.

👨‍💼 Prime Minister Kishida’s statement. He assured that the release of radioactive wastewater from the nuclear site, equivalent to over 500 Olympic swimming pools, is "safe."

🔬 Water Treatment. The water is set to undergo a process of dilution and filtration, eliminating all radioactive elements EXCEPT tritium. TEPCO affirmed that they will implement "essential measures to protect the marine environment, ensure food safety, and maintain public health."

👩‍🔬 Expert Opinion. Tony Hooker, a nuclear expert from the University of Adelaide, emphasized that the level of tritium present in the Fukushima plant's water significantly falls below the drinking water limits established by the World Health Organization (WHO).

🌏 Global Reaction. China, which had already imposed partial restrictions on shipments of Japanese food, openly criticized this announcement. Hong Kong also joined in, announcing a prohibition on importing "aquatic products" from ten specific regions in Japan.